Switzerland has already suspended payments for the Patriot system due to delivery delays. However, the government said the United States has redirected Swiss payments intended for F-35 fighter jets into the Patriot system account.
“A waiver is always an option in the event of a delay”, Pfister said on the sidelines of a press conference. He added that the implications for payments already made remain unclear.
“We are still working on the assumption that it will be delivered, but we don’t know when,” Pfister said. “A possible abandonment is part of that, but we don’t know the conditions.”
The Swiss Federal Council said changes in U.S. priorities have affected the contractual framework. It added that these developments have “profoundly altered the contractual basis”.
Switzerland has not made payments to the Patriot System Trust Fund since last autumn. The government said the suspension will remain in place until new delivery schedules and payment terms are clarified.
The redirection of funds has drawn criticism from Swiss officials. Urs Loher, director general of armaments, said the move was “highly unsatisfactory” and involves several hundred million Swiss francs.
The Federal Council said a decision on the Patriot system purchase is expected by the end of June. Earlier, the government announced plans to acquire a second ground-based air defence system to “ensure effective air defence”.
The review reflects broader concerns over procurement timelines and contractual conditions. Swiss authorities said they are continuing negotiations with the United States while assessing all available options.
Source: swissinfo.ch
