Switzerland seeks to accelerate delivery of air defences

To accelerate the delivery of air defences to its armed forces, Switzerland's executive body is requesting CHF970 million (GBP888 million) from the Swiss parliament to secure production capacity for new equipment.

An announcement from the Swiss Federal Office for Armaments on 19 August says that the funding is required due to rising demand on the defence market and the “substantial” advance payments sought by manufacturers to secure orders.

Specifically, the funding has been requested by the Swiss Federal Council to enable the early delivery of equipment outlined in the country’s 2026 Army Message – the annual bill through which the parliament approves military purchases.

The funding would be split into four parts, with the largest tranche of CHF650 million allocated to accelerating the production of ground-based medium range air defence systems.

A further CHF250 million is earmarked for ground-based short range air defence systems, while CHF60 million is set aside for a semi-mobile medium range radar, and CHF10 million for defences against “mini drones”.

Why Switzerland is investing in air defences

The Federal Council claims the capabilities to be manufactured are needed to counter an increasingly complex range of threats to Swiss territory. Hybrid actions and long-range attacks to Switzerland are the “most likely” threats to the country, the council argues, and the armed forces currently lack the means to counter them.

The requested funding would come from improved federal revenue forecasts driven by higher corporate profit tax receipts, the council says. The Swiss parliament is expected to vote on approving the?? funding later this year.

Extra funding for military site security

As well as increased spending on air defence, the council has also allocated CHF100 million over the coming years to protect more than 60 military sites across the country. This money would cover improved fencing, video surveillance, electronic access control, and secure rooms.

These upgrades are planned to be in place by early 2029 and will be met within the Swiss Army’s existing budget.