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Partially mobile short-range radars: armasuisse purchases Italian radar system for airspace surveillance for the Swiss Air Force

Swiss Government

Press release
Published on 20 October 2025

Bern, 20.10.2025 -- In order to better maintain air sovereignty in the lower airspace, the Swiss Air Force needs partially mobile short-range radars. For this purpose, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse has selected the supplier for this new system as part of an invitation procedure. The Italian manufacturing company Leonardo with its TMMR (Tactical Multi Mission Radar) radar system received the contract for this important new capability of the Swiss Air Force.

Airspace surveillance is important for the security of Switzerland. The existing capability gap in the lower airspace is to be closed by the gradual procurement of modern radar systems. In accordance with the target vision for strengthening the defensive capability of the Swiss Armed Forces, the capability profile of the intelligence network and the sensors need to be improved. Capability building of the new radars will be driven forward with the project "Capability building of partially mobile short-range radars". According to planning, full capability is scheduled as part of the Armed Forces Dispatch 2028.

Protection from short-range threats

The Swiss Air Force currently does not have any partially mobile radar systems that are capable of covering the lower airspace. The decommissioning of the tactical air radar (TAFLIR) in 2030 will lead to an even greater capability gap in the coverage of the lower and medium airspaces. This can be filled by the new partially mobile short-range radars for the lower airspace.

With their capabilities, the new sensors will strengthen the Swiss sensor network and significantly improve integrated air defence with their viability and coverage of gaps. The system has the capability of detecting, classifying and tracking targets in the lower and medium airspace, as well as identifying them by means of the identification friend or foe system. In addition, the new partially mobile short-range radar system can be rapidly relocated.

Invitation procedure with potential suppliers

In December 2024, armasuisse requested that seven manufacturers submit bids as part of an invitation procedure. In response, four utilisable bids were received altogether. After the careful evaluation of all of the bids based on the previously defined criteria, armasuisse was able to select the most advantageous bid for Switzerland. The Italian manufacturing company Leonardo with its TMMR (Tactical Multi Mission Radar) radar system received the contract for this important new capability of the Swiss Air Force.

Decision made in keeping with the Armament Policy Strategy of the Federal Council

The awarding of the contract for the TMMR radar system is in line with the Armament Policy Strategy of the Federal Council, which was approved on 20 June 2025. According to this strategy, 30% of the defence equipment procured by Switzerland is to be purchased from neighbouring countries and other European countries, as these countries are particularly important to Switzerland with respect to its armament policy. In order to ensure that it is able to work together with other countries in a defensive capacity in the event of an armed conflict, Switzerland must procure systems and materials that are either identical to or compatible with those used by other countries, particularly those that share borders with Switzerland. Furthermore, procuring this equipment from neighbouring countries improves supply chain security and boosts resilience in the event of a crisis or an armed conflict.

Next steps

Partially mobile short-range radars will be procured gradually. In the first step, an individual radar system will be procured to build capability. If the procured system proves itself in operation with the troops, the procurement of several radar systems to conclude capability building is planned. As part of the Armed Forces Dispatch 2028, further radar systems are to be procured to achieve full capability.