Switzerland looking at Barak MX, SAMP/T NG for missile defense

OCTOBER 29, 2026 09:40Switzerland has narrowed its choice of an additional long-range ground-based air defence system to Israel’s Barak MX or the SAMP/T NG, while continuing to procure the Patriot system in parallel.The Swiss Federal Council announcement on Wednesday came after reviewing offers from four manufacturers in France, Israel and South Korea. The decision to continue with the Barak MX and the SAMP/T NG was based on technical, military, defense, and security policy aspects.“The Federal Council recognizes that Switzerland must strengthen its air defenses due to the deteriorating geopolitical situation. This requires ground-based air defense systems with a longer range and sufficient ammunition. Combined with shorter- and medium-range systems and fighter jets, these systems can counter the threat of long-range attacks, including ballistic missiles,” read a statement released by the council.The Barak MX by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has a multi-layered and multi-mission design. Its net-centric configuration allows operators to select the most effective engagement method depending on operational needs, a feature IAI says reduces costs and optimizes battlefield efficiency.The Barak medium-range surface-to-air missile system. (credit: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES)The versatile system can fire three types of missiles from the same vertical launcher, including the Barak MRAD for short-to-medium range of up to 35 kilometers, the Barak LRAD of up to 70 km., and the Barak ER, which can reach targets up to 150 km.The system has been procured by several countries worldwide, such as Morocco, Thailand, Azerbaijan, Slovenia, and Cyprus, along with Israel’s navy and India’s naval, air, and ground forces.The SAMP/T NG was made by a joint venture between Italy, the French firm Thales, and the MBDA European arms consortium. It was engineered to neutralize high-altitude targets such as maneuvering tactical ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles and emerging threats.The mobile system has next-generation active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, modernized C2 engagement modules, and the Aster 30 Block 1 NT (New Technology) interceptor. It can protect both fixed strategic assets and deployed forces.Europe has increasingly turned to Israeli air defense technology over the past decade, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine and the growing demand for rapid, combat‑proven systems. Several Israeli systems, including the Arrow 3, Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Spyder, have been selected by European governments.Patriot still on the tableIn addition to the Barak and the SAMP/T NG, Bern is also continuing to eye the American Patriot system.Militarily neutral Switzerland ordered five Patriot ground-to-air missile systems in 2022 from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, with an expected delivery in 2026-2028. Because of the war in Ukraine, the timeline has been pushed back by at least five to seven years, as Washington intends to supply Germany with Patriot systems that were originally planned for Switzerland.Nevertheless, Bern said it cannot afford to halt the Patriot acquisition without a replacement ready.According to the Federal Council statement, “Abandoning the Patriot procurement without an alternative system due to the security situation remains out of the question.”“It is crucial that Switzerland can quickly procure an additional system alongside Patriot that meets the requirements, increases the area to be protected, and reduces dependence on a single supplier or supply chain,” the statement added.The final decision on which system to procure will be made after Switzerland’s Parliament debates the proposal by the Federal Council on the military’s financing. The proposal would see the armed forces boosted by an additional 24 billion francs, including six billion francs for an additional long-range ground-based air defense system and a portion for the additional costs of the Patriot systems.Follow us on Google