Switzerland announces purchase of medium-range air defense system

The Swiss arms procurement agency has requested quotes from three companies for a new ground-based medium-range air defense system (MR GBAD).

Germany’s Diehl Defense, a consortium of Norway’s Kongsberg and America’s Raytheon, and Europe’s MBDA have been invited to submit a bid in mid-July.

All bidders must meet military, technical and logistics requirements.

Criteria

Additional criteria include an in-use, proven system, the possibility of future collaboration on a variety of projects with the winner, and the involvement of Swiss industry, European Defense Review wroteciting a request for information from the Arms Procurement Agency.

The selection is expected in the third quarter of 2024.

Air defense needs an upgrade

The proposed purchase is expected to improve the Swiss military’s anti-aircraft systems, the Swiss military said European Defense Review.

Some systems are nearing the end of their lives and others, like Stinger, do not have the range to take out modern fighter jets.

Meanwhile Bern announced his intention last year to join the German-led European air defense project Sky Shield.