Switzerland is close to finalizing a deal to purchase four or five IRIS-T SLM medium-range air-defense systems from Germany’s Diehl Defence. The acquisition, part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, is backed by a 660 million Swiss francs credit guarantee approved by Swiss lawmakers. A formal contract is expected in the third quarter of 2025. Armasuisse emphasized the system’s role in strengthening airspace sovereignty and protection against long-range threats. Meanwhile, Diehl partnered with Denmark’s MDSI to improve IRIS-T missile integration across several fighter aircraft platforms. Original news
Category: Switzerland
Switzerland Proposes Easing Arms Export Rules, Maintains Ban on Ukraine Shipments
The Swiss government has proposed loosening arms export restrictions to strengthen its domestic defense industry and security policy. The plan would allow exceptions in “extraordinary circumstances” but maintains the ban on exporting Swiss weapons to Ukraine due to neutrality laws. Switzerland’s arms sector, which includes multinational firms like Lockheed Martin, has faced setbacks due to restrictions on re-exporting Swiss-made arms. Critics, including the Swissmem industry association and the anti-militarist group GSoA, warn that the changes could undermine Switzerland’s neutrality and humanitarian principles. The proposal reflects ongoing debates over balancing national security with Switzerland’s long-standing non-alignment policies. Original news
European militaries rush to catch up on space traffic mapping
#analysis The rapid growth of space activity has led European militaries to increase their focus on space traffic mapping to address emerging threats. The number of active satellites has more than tripled in the last four years, and most of this activity is occurring in low Earth orbit, creating new challenges for military surveillance systems designed for geostationary orbits. Companies like Safran, Vyoma, and True Anomaly are working with defense departments to improve space awareness and tracking capabilities. Military leaders stress the importance of collaboration between civilian, commercial, and military sectors to enhance space-domain awareness and avoid potential crises. As […]
Rheinmetall receives order from NATO country for mortar shells
Rheinmetall has secured a new order worth tens of millions of euros from a NATO country for a six-digit quantity of mortar shells, with deliveries set between July 2025 and July 2026. The mortar shells will be produced by Rheinmetall Expal Munitions in Spain, accompanied by additional services for the product launch. This follows previous orders from Switzerland, Spain, and a significant 100,000-round order for Ukraine in 2022. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Rheinmetall has received billions in orders for artillery and mortar ammunition as NATO countries replenish their stockpiles and support Ukraine. The company recently announced an order from […]