Germany and Switzerland are considering joint procurement of the Patriot air defense system to strengthen European security and interoperability.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Swiss counterpart Martin Pfister discussed plans to align procurement and training under the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a multinational framework aimed at creating an integrated air and missile defense network across Europe.
Pistorius said both countries share the goal of equipping their armed forces with modern systems while saving costs through coordinated acquisition, training, and maintenance.
He also confirmed that Berlin is assessing whether German Air Force units could participate in training Swiss personnel on Patriot systems.
Pfister also welcomed the development, stating that “effective air defense is only possible across borders, given the increasingly complex security situation.”
Beyond air defense, Berlin and Bern plan to cooperate on acquiring the RCH 155 wheeled howitzer and the F-35A fighter jet to deepen industrial and operational ties.
Broader Cooperation in European and Regional Security
The Patriot system, widely used among NATO allies, has become one of Europe’s primary ground-based air defense assets. It has been fielded in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland, and supplied to Ukraine, where it has intercepted Russian ballistic and cruise missiles since 2023.
Against this backdrop, the recent ministerial meeting highlighted ongoing European defense cooperation.
Despite its formal neutrality, Switzerland has increasingly participated in continental defense projects. Pfister emphasized Bern’s commitment to ESSI, viewing its role as vital for air defense coordination.
The ministers also reviewed joint activities in the Western Balkans, where German and Swiss forces continue to operate side by side in Althea missions.
Looking ahead, the ministers are scheduled to meet again in January 2026 at a separate summit with Austria to outline next steps for closer European defense and armaments coordination.
