Raytheon Technologies received a $1.2B contract from the US Army to provide Switzerland with the Patriot air defense system, making them the 8th European country and 18th global partner.
The contract covers five Patriot fire units and a quantity of Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-T), which are capable of defeating tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and enemy aircraft.
The company received the contract after Switzerland selected the Patriot as the successor for its Bodluv longer-range ground-based air defense (GBAD) systems in 2021. In 2022, the sale, which was expected to come with an estimated price tag of $700 million, was approved by the US government. The Swiss government estimated in 2021 that the purchase of a new air defense system would cost CHF 2 billion.
As part of the Patriot offer to Switzerland, Raytheon has pledged to collaborate with local industry to deliver the system, ensuring that it meets Switzerland’s air defense requirements and helps preserve the nation’s autonomy.
Switzerland has selected the GEM-T type of guided missile and the system will be delivered on a Iveco European-certified mobility solution, meeting road service specifications.
“Designed specifically to counter today’s threats, Patriot is the proven, reliable ground-based air defense capability for the US Army and now 17 international countries,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land Warfare & Air Defense at Raytheon. “Switzerland now joins this Global Patriot user community and will benefit from unparalleled commonality, cooperation, experience, and cost sharing over the weapon system’s life cycle.”
The Patriot air defense system provides extended medium-range ground-based protection against a variety of targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles, guided missiles, aircraft, and cruise missiles.
