Germany and Switzerland are in talks to jointly procure the Patriot air defense system, a move aimed at boosting European security and interoperability under the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). During recent discussions, Defense Ministers Boris Pistorius and Martin Pfister explored aligning acquisition and training to enhance efficiency and cut costs. Pistorius indicated that German Air Force units might assist in training Swiss personnel on Patriot systems, while Pfister emphasized that modern air defense requires cross-border cooperation given today’s complex threat environment.
The two governments are also considering collaboration on purchasing the RCH 155 wheeled howitzer and F-35A fighter jets, expanding bilateral defense-industrial links. The Patriot, already used by several NATO members and Ukraine, has proven vital in countering missile and drone threats. Switzerland, though maintaining its neutrality, is deepening its role in European defense cooperation through ESSI. The ministers reaffirmed joint engagement in Western Balkans missions, highlighting long-standing military cooperation, and agreed to reconvene in January 2026 with Austria to define the next phase of European defense integration.
