Receiving money from Germany, the US transferred Patriot from Switzerland to Ukraine

According to a Swiss government statement, US officials sent a note to Bern saying that Patriot air defense systems under production for the Nordic country would be redirected to help defend Ukraine.

The Swiss statement on July 17, which said the notification from the United States had arrived the day before, sheds some light on the hasty mechanics behind Washington’s renewed emphasis on helping Ukraine repel near-constant Russian attacks with missiles and drones.

The Patriot system is used to defend against enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Photo: Deutsche Welle

Switzerland has ordered five Patriot systems manufactured by Ratheon in 2022. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026 and last until 2028.

Switzerland's choice of Patriot is part of a long-term review of the government's air defense and air patrols, which also led to an order for 36 US F-35 fighter jets.

Last year, the United States informed Switzerland that an ordered batch of PAC-3 MSE interceptors, the most advanced interceptor missiles that can be fired by Patriots, would also be redirected to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, this week, Germany offered to buy two Patriot systems from the US and provide them to Ukraine. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said during a visit to Washington on July 14 that a Patriot system would cost around $1 billion, depending on the number of interceptors.

President Trump: "The US is still producing weapons to support Ukraine, but NATO allies will pay." Photo: The WH

Pistorius said details of the sale were now being worked out with US authorities, following talks with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. He added that any outstanding questions surrounding the transaction were “solvable”.

The German government will also receive training and spare parts as part of a $5 billion deal that includes 600 advanced PAC-3 interceptor missiles made by Lockheed Martin, according to a U.S. State Department press release issued late Thursday.

This year, Germany ordered eight Patriot battery systems from RTX for $2.4 billion. As part of successive aid packages to Ukraine, the German government has donated three Patriot systems along with interceptor missiles to boost the country's air defense capabilities. Berlin has also called on its allies to do the same.

US President Donald Trump recently announced an initiative to continue producing weapons and sending them to Ukraine at no cost, forcing NATO allies to pay for them as part of increased defense spending.