On April 30, 2024, the Swiss Federal Office for Armaments Procurement, Armasuisse, officially issued a request for proposals (RFP) to three manufacturers for the acquisition of new medium-range ground-based air defense systems.
The project, named Bodluv MR, is scheduled for a decision on procurement in the third quarter of 2024.
Armasuisse has shortlisted four potential systems from three suppliers:
- IRIS-T SLM from Diehl Defence (Germany)
- NASAMS from Kongsberg and Raytheon (USA)
- SAMP/T and EMADS from MBDA (France)
This procurement follows Switzerland’s decision in June 2021 to acquire five batteries of Patriot long-range air defense systems. In November 2021, the contract for the Patriot systems was valued at approximately 2.1 billion US dollars. The Swiss Parliament approved the procurement in September 2022. In February 2023, it was announced that Switzerland would expand the Patriot contract by over 320 million dollars to include the manufacturer’s PAC-3 MSE missiles, enabling the system to more effectively engage tactical ballistic missiles.
Main points:
- Switzerland is seeking to procure new medium-range ground-based air defense systems to enhance its air defense capabilities.
- Four potential systems from three suppliers are under consideration.
- This procurement follows Switzerland’s recent acquisition of Patriot long-range air defense systems.
More information:
- Armasuisse: https://www.ar.admin.ch/
- IRIS-T SLM: https://www.diehl.com/defence/en/products/air-defence-systems/
- NASAMS: https://www.kongsberg.com/kda/what-we-do/defence-and-security/integrated-air-and-missile-defence/nasams-air-defence-system/
- SAMP/T and EMADS: https://www.mbda-systems.com/solutions-and-services/
- Patriot air defense system: https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/integrated-air-and-missile-defense/global-patriot-solutions
