Tamedia and CH Media reported that the final cost of the Patriot procurement could potentially double. The Federal Office for Armaments did not confirm those estimates, but a spokesperson told Swiss public broadcaster SRF that expected additional costs were in the range of “50% plus”.
The procurement is also affected by delays linked to the war in Ukraine, where demand for Patriot systems and missiles has increased. Swiss media reports said the war in Iran could further affect delivery timelines.
Following the reports, the Swiss government said delivery of the Patriot air defence system would be delayed by five to seven years and would also involve higher costs. The delay adds uncertainty to one of Switzerland’s key air defence modernisation projects.
In April, the Federal Council decided to suspend payments to the United States for the Patriot system. The government also said it had not ruled out cancelling the purchase and instead acquiring a European missile defence system.
The Federal Council is expected to decide on the next steps this summer. The decision will determine whether Switzerland continues with the U.S. system despite higher costs and delays or redirects its air defence procurement towards a European alternative.
