Switzerland’s arms procurement agency has solicited bids from a trio of firms for a new medium-range ground-based air defense system (MR GBAD).
Germany’s Diehl Defence, a consortium of Norway’s Kongsberg and US Raytheon, and Europe’s MBDA have been invited to submit bids by mid-July.
All bidders must meet the military, technical, and logistical requirements.
Criteria
Additional criteria include an in-use, proven system, possibility of future cooperation on a variety of projects with the winner, and the involvement of Swiss industry, European Defense Review wrote, citing a request for information from the arms procurement agency.
Selection is expected in the third quarter of 2024.
Air Defenses Need Upgrade
The intended procurement is expected to upgrade the Swiss Army’s anti-aircraft defense systems, according to the European Defense Review.
Some of the systems are nearing their end of service life and others, such as Stinger, lack the range to take out modern fighter jets.
Meanwhile, Bern last year announced its intention to join the Germany-led European Sky Shield ground-based air defense project.