Defense News:
PAYERNE AIR BASE, Switzerland ― The Swiss defense ministry has earmarked 1.3 billion-1.5 billion Swiss francs (U.S. $1.4 billion-$1.6 billion) to buy a surface-to-air missile, a key part of an overall 8 billion franc budget that includes acquiring fighter jets, a senior Swiss officer said.
That budget for both missiles and fighter jets allows Swiss authorities to decide the final number of fighter jets to be bought while weighing the size of the missile deal, the officer said. The planned procurement of fighter jets and missiles are critical parts of modernizing the national air defense system run by the Swiss Armed Forces.
David’s Sling from Rafael, Patriot from Raytheon,and SAMP/T from Eurosam, a joint venture between MBDA and Thales, are on the short list for the missile competition, the defense ministry said March 23. A tender for missiles will follow right after Switzerland launches a fighter competition this summer, with the two acquisitions being treated as part of an overall plan.
