The delivery of Patriot air defense systems from the USA has been delayed indefinitely. Now a French-Italian group is making an alternative offer to Switzerland.
02/15/2026, 07:3102/15/2026, 07:49
It has been known for some time that there are problems with the delivery of the new Patriot air defense systems that Switzerland has ordered from the USA. It has been clear since last Wednesday that delivery of these will be delayed indefinitely, as the Defense Department (VBS) admitted. It is feared that it could take three or more years before Switzerland has modern air defense weapons on its soil again if it sticks to the US system – Given the current threat situation, the prospects are not rosy.
Switzerland has ordered Patriot air defense weapons from the USA – but the Americans are prioritizing other trading partners. Image: keystone
The fact that Switzerland is struggling with American unreliability has not gone unnoticed by defense companies in Europe. Now the French-Italian company Eurosam is offering Switzerland an alternative to the US Patriots, like this NZZ on Sunday reports. Jérome Dufour, the company’s secretary general, would like to supply Switzerland with the Samp/T defense system, also known as “Mamba”. This model was recently modernized and, according to experts, can keep up with the level of US weapons. Dufour assures:
“If Switzerland orders today, we could deliver our system by 2029.”
According to Dufour, Samp/T stands out not only because it is a purely European production, but also because it requires significantly fewer soldiers to operate it (20 versus 90). In addition to the armies of France and Italy, Denmark has also ordered new units, and the defensive weapon is already being used in Ukraine. Singapore also has two such systems.
Samp/T is a European anti-aircraft weapon.Image: eurosam/thales
The offer has met with open ears in the Swiss Parliament. FDP security politician Jacqueline de Quattro finds the offer from France “interesting”. Switzerland has to look into alternatives because they are at the back of the USA’s waiting list for the Patriots. “If the USA does not deliver within a reasonable time, we should demand the money back.” Green Mathias Zopfi agrees: “The situation with the USA is extremely difficult.” He assumes that the federal government is examining the European alternative offer.
Jacqueline de Quattro can imagine withdrawing from the US treaty.Image: keystone
Exiting the treaties with the USA is not that easy, although according to the NZZ this is now met with support from many parliamentarians. On the one hand, Switzerland has already paid down 700 million francs. On the other hand, the contract was concluded directly with the US government. She would probably have to hope for the goodwill of the Trump administration in terms of repayment if she were to leave – given the tone that the President is adopting towards the Confederationthis prospect is neither tempting nor promising.
Since repaying the millions could be difficult, other ideas are circulating. It is not uncommon for even SP and SVP representatives to agree. SP member Franziska Roth tells the NZZ:
“If we don’t get the money back, we should at least ensure that it is credited to other ongoing US procurements.”
SVP National Councilor Thomas Hurter is of the same opinion: If the USA did not deliver, in his opinion the money should be credited towards the purchase of the F-35. Hurter calls for Switzerland to take a more assertive stance towards the USA.