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Long-range ground-based air defence: Working visit by the National Armaments Director to the USA

Swiss Government

Press release
Published on 9 October 2025

Bern, 09.10.2025 -- National Armaments Director Urs Loher held technical discussions with representatives from the US Department of Defense in the Pentagon in Virginia, USA on 2 October 2025. The talks focused on the next steps in the procurement of long-range ground-based air defence (GBAD LR

National Armaments Director Urs Loher was on a working visit to the USA from 1 to 3 October 2025. He met with representatives from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and the Office of the Secretary of War for Policy (OSW(P)) in the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia to discuss the next steps in the GBAD LR project.

Course of technical discussions with the representatives of the US government

In mid-July 2025, the US Department of Defense informed the DDPS of an adjusted prioritisation in the deliveries of Patriot systems and the possible delay for Switzerland. The effects on the contracts and the payment schedule were discussed at the meeting. Some important points could not yet be clarified satisfactorily. The Swiss delegation emphasised the significance of the Patriot systems for the protection of Switzerland against threats from the air and the importance of imminent training of the troops on the systems. The US government is currently looking at options which meet the needs of various countries procuring Patriot systems while minimising disruption to the nations involved. The formation of a combined working group is being considered to work on the open points for deciding jointly on the options.

The talks will be continued, with the US government promising to provide Switzerland with more detailed information on the deliveries dates and any additional costs in the coming weeks.