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Military

Swiss Government

GBAD MR: Contract on cooperative procurement for medium-range ground-based air defence signed

Swiss Government

Press release
Published on 22 July 2025

Bern, 22.07.2025 -- Switzerland is procuring five IRIS-T SLM systems for ground-based air defence. These will protect the population from medium-range threats from the air. The procurement is part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The contract for Switzerland has now been signed between the Federal Office of Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the German Armed Forces and the manufacturer Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG, after the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse gave authorisation to do so.

An important milestone for the integrated air defence of Switzerland was achieved with the signing of the contract for cooperative procurement of IRIS-T SLM systems as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The prerequisite for cooperative procurement of the systems as part of the Initiative was participation in a programme agreement, approved by the Federal Council on 20 June 2025 and signed by National Armaments Director Urs Loher. With this programme agreement, Switzerland authorised the Federal Office of Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw), to sign the procurement contract with Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG for Switzerland.

Protection from medium-range threats

With five IRIS-T SLM systems, the Swiss Armed Forces is closing a key capability gap and strengthening resilience to modern threats from the air. The system supplements the procurement of the combat aircraft F-35A and the ground-based air defence Patriot for longer ranges.

The future system for medium-range ground-based air defence (GBAD MR) will be operated as a part of the Integrated Air Defence (IAD). It aims to repel air threats at various distances and flight altitudes, in particular combat aircraft, drones and cruise missiles. The system will operate both in separate as well as in joint air defence zones with combat aircraft and have a high survivability rate. One important goal is to establish the geospatial cruise missile defence as well as an early warning capability against rocket, mortar and artillery attacks (RAM). The system will also take over tasks of the short-range anti-aircraft gun, which is to be decommissioned.

An offset agreement has been concluded between armasuisse and the German manufacturer Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG. This includes the obligation of executing compensation transactions to the usual extent and according to the offset policy of armasuisse with Swiss companies.

A guarantee credit of 660 million Francs was approved for GBAD MR in the 2024 armament programme. According to current planning, the investments amount to 660 million Francs as well as a further 10 million from the PEB credit for development, testing and procurement preparation. The project thus remains within the planned financial framework. The contract value for cooperative procurement of IRIS-T SLM systems as part of the programme agreement European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) amounts to around 500 million Francs.

In addition to the five IRIS-T SLM systems, the cooperative procurement contract also includes the provision of logistics vehicles for mobile repair, the provision of spare parts as well as the loading and unloading of guided weapons. In addition, spare parts, test devices, guided weapons, a training station and an initial training for the Swiss Armed Forces will be provided.

IRIS-T SLM systems

The system IRIS-T SLM from the German manufacturer Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG is one of the most powerful medium-range air defence systems worldwide. It offers operating ranges of up to 40 kilometres and reaches heights of up to 20 kilometres. The system has simultaneous multi-target engagement capability and with the TRML-4D sensor from Hensoldt possesses the latest AESA radar technology (Active Electronically Scanned Array). The open architecture also enables integration in national system landscapes. The modular construction allows for flexible scaling, from selective object protection to comprehensive spatial protection.

Project "GBAD MR"

The project "GBAD MR" is a procurement project for renewing important anti-aircraft systems of the Swiss Armed Forces. The renewal will close an existing gap in capability in the defence of stand-off weapons, to combat approaching targets at a medium distance and thus expand long-range ground-based air defence with the Patriot system. Systems currently in use will soon reach the end of their useful life.

The project GBAD MR started in 2019 and is currently in the conceptual stage. It will be carried out as an accelerated procedure, also known as "fast track", and is scheduled for completion in 2032. Where possible, the system will be procured in the standard configuration of the country of origin (Germany). Adjustments will only be made where they are necessary for the connection to existing Swiss systems, for example regarding operational picture and C2 systems.

According to current planning, the first fire unit will be delivered from the end of 2028. Further fire units and logistical resources, and gradually system integration, will be delivered in the years 2029 to 2031. Career military personnel will be trained from 2027, while the militia will be trained or retrained on the systems from 2029. The logistical and training infrastructures will be built up between 2028 and 2031. The capability will also be built up gradually. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for operations as part of the maintenance of air sovereignty (PASO) should be achieved as quickly as possible. Full Operational Capability (FOC) will be achieved after delivery of the last fire unit and comprehensive trials and readiness testing.



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