# Switzerland shortlists Barak MX, SAMP/T NG to supplement Patriot, Defense News reports Defense News reports Switzerland wants a second system to expand air defense coverage and reduce dependence on a single supplier while retaining plans to buy Patriot. Published 2026-10-29 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/29/switzerland-shortlists-barak-mx-samp-t-ng-to-supplement/ Switzerland has narrowed its choice for a second long-range air defense system to Israel’s Barak MX or the French-Italian SAMP/T NG while retaining plans to buy Patriot, Defense News reported.[1] Switzerland’s Federal Council, its government, wants the second system to expand the protected area and reduce dependence on a single supplier or supply chain.[1] Switzerland announced the evaluation in May after Patriot deliveries slipped by several years, expressing a preference for a European-produced system.[1] Delivery talks with the United States continue.[1] The Federal Council said Wednesday it had asked Switzerland’s defense department to continue evaluating both candidates.[1] Barak MX comes from Israel Aerospace Industries; SAMP/T NG comes from Eurosam, the MBDA and Thales joint venture.[1] The council said it considered bids from four manufacturers in France, Israel and South Korea, weighing foreign-policy and economic-policy considerations alongside technical, military and weapon-related factors.[1][1] Parliament is scheduled to review a government proposal for an additional 24 billion Swiss francs in defense and security spending during its winter session.[1] That request includes 6 billion francs for the second long-range system and a portion of additional Patriot costs.[1] ## Why it matters Switzerland’s government says abandoning the Patriot purchase without a replacement system is not an option in the current situation, Defense News reported.[1] The council will decide on the second system’s next steps and an additional Patriot appropriation after evaluations finish and parliament decides on armed forces funding.[1] That funding decision is expected in early 2027.[1] ## Sources 1. Defense News: Switzerland shortlists SAMP/T, Barak MX for long-range air defense