Switzerland becomes newest customer of cutting-edge Patriot missile

Switzerland has signed a contract to buy the most advanced version of the Lockheed Martin-made Patriot missile as an add-on to the country’s Air2030 program, the company announced on 1st of November.

Lockheed did not detail the number of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement weapons Switzerland plans to buy. But the U.S. State Department previously approved a series of Swiss requests for Patriot equipment, defensenews.com reports.

The contract, signed Oct. 30 as part of the Pentagon’s Foreign Military Sales process, will see Switzerland pay 300 million Swiss francs (U.S. $331 million) for the newest interceptor type, according to an Oct. 31 statement by the country’s military procurement agency Armasuisse.

The country’s military wants to use the PAC-3 MSE missiles — which have a shorter range than the tactical variant but can fly tighter maneuvers — for intercepting short-range missiles as well as defending against aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.

Switzerland’s core Patriot components are slated for delivery by manufacturer RTX starting in 2026, the procurement agency’s statement read. The PAC-3 missiles are expected from Lockheed, by way of the U.S. government, in 2028 and 2029.

Switzerland is the 15th country to buy the MSE version of the PAC-3 missile, according to Lockheed.

The country’s Air2030 program also includes the procurement of 36 Lockheed-made F-35 fighter jets for 6 billion Swiss francs.