Swiss President Guy Parmelin on Monday stressed that international arms procurement contracts must be honored, raising concerns over lengthy delays in military equipment deliveries from the US.
– Responding to an Anadolu question during a press briefing for foreign journalists in Bern, Parmelin said Switzerland’s defense purchases from the US have traditionally involved dealing with the American government rather than directly with manufacturers.
– “In the end, it’s the government, and that complicates the situation,” he said, referring to arrangements involving new fighter jets.
– Parmelin emphasized that Switzerland expects suppliers to fulfill their contractual obligations, citing delays involving the Patriot air defense system.
– “When you pay and you buy, you sign a contract, you expect the contract to be respected and to receive your delivery,” he said.
– Asked whether the procurement difficulties signaled a loss of confidence in the US, Parmelin stopped short of confirming such a shift.
– “Without saying that trust has disappeared, this is something extremely delicate when it comes to your personal security, the security of your country,” he said, referring to equipment facing delivery delays of five to seven years.
– He said Switzerland, as a neutral country outside military alliances, must strengthen its domestic defense industry and logistical capabilities while diversifying arms purchases and expanding cooperation with neighboring European countries.
– Parmelin stressed that such cooperation must respect Switzerland’s neutrality obligations under the Hague Conventions.
– “Therefore, we cannot do just anything. We have commitments; we have contracts with various countries to purchase arms. These contracts must be respected,” he said.
– In late October, Switzerland said it was considering buying military equipment directly from US defense companies instead of relying on Washington as an intermediary.
– Under the US Foreign Military Sales program, Switzerland purchases American military equipment through the US government, leaving buyers with limited options to resolve pricing disputes or seek compensation for delayed deliveries.
– Urs Loher, head of the Federal Office for Defense Procurement (Armasuisse), told Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung that certain components of the Patriot air defense system might be purchased directly from manufacturers, while acquiring advanced fighter jets such as the F-35 through this route would not be feasible.
– The proposed shift comes as Switzerland faces a five- to seven-year delay in receiving its Patriot missile systems, with Washington prioritizing deliveries to Germany.
– Switzerland has already paid more than 1 billion Swiss francs (over $1.2 billion) in advance for the systems.
– Swiss authorities have also assessed an alternative air defense system, with the Federal Council expected to make the final decision.