Switzerland weighs scrapping Patriot order as costs could double

Switzerland is bracing for substantial cost overruns on its order of five Raytheon Patriot air defense systems, with Swiss defense procurement agency Armasuisse now warning that the total bill could rise by more than 50%, and unconfirmed reports suggesting the figure may double. 

Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister was due to brief the Federal Council on May 13, 2026, on the state of negotiations with the US over the order, originally signed in 2022 for CHF 2 billion ($2.2 billion).  

According to Swiss daily Watson, citing a note prepared by Pfister, Bern has been in formal talks with US authorities since April 1, 2026, and the option of abandoning the program is now under active consideration. 

Deliveries pushed to 2034 

The five Patriot batteries were initially scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2028. In July 2025, the US Army informed Switzerland of a delay of four to five years, attributed to production prioritization for Ukraine. Latest discussions now place delivery no earlier than 2034. 

The outbreak of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, has further strained global Patriot supply. Iran’s missile and drone campaign against Gulf states has driven urgent demand from regional partners, with the US and Gulf operators firing more than 1,800 Patriot interceptors in the first 16 days of the conflict, according to figures cited by the Royal United Services Institute. A source quoted by Watson said: 

“For the Gulf states, the costs of Patriot systems are a trifle, which further aggravates Switzerland’s situation.” 

Armasuisse confirmed in late April 2026 that Switzerland had also been notified of delays affecting the PAC-2 GEM-T guided missile. 

Cost overruns above 50% 

Armasuisse communications chief Kaj-Gunnar Sievert confirmed that overruns above 50% were now expected. Reports circulating in Switzerland suggest the total cost could climb to CHF 4 billion ($4.5 billion), double the original contract value. 

The trajectory adds to a series of difficulties on Swiss procurement from the US. In March 2026, SRF revealed that Washington had redirected over CHF 100 million ($126 million) earmarked for F-35A payments to cover the frozen Patriot account, exploiting the pooled structure of the US Foreign Military Sales program. Bern also confirmed in December 2025 that it would reduce its F-35A order from 36 to 30 aircraft due to rising costs. 

European alternatives on the table 

Pfister has indicated that the government must position itself by June 2026. Armasuisse is currently reviewing responses from five manufacturers across four countries for a possible second long-range air defense system, with Bern signaling a preference for European-made alternatives. The Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG, developed by Eurosam, is among the candidates under consideration. The post Switzerland weighs scrapping Patriot order as costs could double appeared first on AeroTime.

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