The US State Department has approved the sale of Patriot missiles and related equipment to Switzerland for $700 million.
The approval is in response to a Swiss government request for as many as 72 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) 3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missiles.
The purchase includes “telemetry kits; PAC-3 MSE missile round trainers; PAC-3 MSE empty round trainers; PAC-3 missile skid kits; launcher stations heater controls; PAC-3 MSE canister consumables; quality assurance; Field Surveillance Program.”
To Support Swiss Patriot Batteries
The purchase will bolster Switzerland’s five Patriot missile defense systems, which the European country purchased last year in a $2.2 billion deal.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly European nation that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress within Europe,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.
“The proposed sale supports Switzerland’s goal of improving national and territorial defense as well as interoperability with US and NATO forces.”