Switzerland said Wednesday it was negotiating with France, Israel and South Korea to acquire a long-range air defense system, amid lengthy delays in delivery of US Patriot missiles.

The announcement came after Bern in early March said it would examine the acquisition of an additional long-range surface-to-air missile system, preferably manufactured in Europe, to complement the Patriot system.

The Swiss defense ministry is “initiating contract negotiations with French, Israeli and South Korean manufacturers to acquire an additional system that would allow for the rapid strengthening of defenses against long-range attacks,” the government said in a statement.

The statement did not say which systems Switzerland could look to buy.

Israel produces two air defense systems that rival the US-made Patriot system, namely the Arrow and David’s Sling, both of which were developed in joint ventures between Israeli state-owned firms and US defense giants. As for France and South Korea, the two countries produce a various array of air defense systems that Switzerland could look to acquire.

“Given the deteriorating security situation, Switzerland must be able to defend itself quickly,” the statement said.

The government said “a second system would reduce reliance on a single........

© The Times of Israel