US delays Patriot arms deliveries to Switzerland in switch to Ukraine
The US told Switzerland it will "reprioritise the delivery of Patriot systems to support Ukraine".
GENEVA - Delivery of US Patriot weapons systems to Switzerland will be delayed as Washington reprioritises to provide more support to Ukraine, the Swiss government said on July 17.
The US defence department informed Bern this week 'that it will reprioritise the delivery of Patriot systems to support Ukraine, focusing on ground-based air defence' there, the Swiss defence ministry (DDPS) said in a statement.
'This also affects Switzerland, which will receive its production batches later than planned,' it said.
US President Donald Trump on July 14
announced a deal with Nato chief Mark Rutte for European Nato states to buy US weaponry – particularly advanced Patriot systems – and give it to Kyiv.
The move marked a pivot for Mr Trump as his patience has worn thin with Russia's President Vladimir Putin for frustrating efforts to halt the war in Ukraine.
European countries – including Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden – have expressed willingness to buy the weaponry for Kyiv.
The Swiss government statement said that the US decision to 'reprioritise the delivery of Patriot ground-based air defence systems' to ensure they get to Ukraine would impact a Swiss order made three years ago.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore
World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report
Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho
Asia Air India probe into Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues
Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore
Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment
Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes
Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail
Switzerland, which is not in Nato, had ordered five Patriot systems in 2022, with delivery scheduled to begin in 2026 and to be completed in 2028.
With its traditional position of well-armed military neutrality, Switzerland would not pass on weapons systems to Ukraine.
But it said that 'on July 16, the US Department of Defence informed the DDPS that Switzerland would also be affected by the new prioritisation and that deliveries intended for Switzerland would be delayed'.
'It is currently unclear how many systems will be affected and whether the delivery of guided missiles will also be affected,' it said.
'No statement can be made at this stage regarding the exact timing and any further implications for Switzerland,' the statement added, stressing that 'clarifications are ongoing'.
Washington had already informed Switzerland a year ago that the country's order of the PAC-3 MSE version of the guided missiles for Patriot would be delivered later than planned, also in connection with support for Ukraine. AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
14 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Iranian lawmaker points to regional insecurity if UN sanctions are reimposed
The sign at Iran's representative seat is placed in the room before a special session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo DUBAI - Iran could withhold security commitments if European states invoke a U.N. mechanism to reimpose international sanctions on the Islamic Republic, a member of Iran's parliamentary national security commission said on Monday, according to Borna news. "We have many tools in our disposition. We can withhold our commitment to security in the region, Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait as well as other maritime areas," Abbas Moqtadaei said in reference to Tehran's potential counter-measures to the reimposition of international sanctions. He was speaking ahead of a meeting on Friday between Iranian deputy foreign ministers and British, French and German diplomats in Istanbul. The three European states, known as E3, have said they would restore international sanctions on Iran by the end of August if the country did not enter productive talks on its nuclear programme with Western powers, notably the United States. E3 countries and Iran have in recent months held inconclusive talks on Tehran's nuclear program, in parallel to indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Israel's attack on Iran in June led to the suspension of such talks. "Europe is not in a position to endanger itself in the... Hormuz Strait when it is itself in political, economic and cultural conflicts with Russia, China and even the United States," Moqtadaei said in an interview with Iran's semi-official Borna news agency. Last week, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said Tehran would react to the three European states if they invoked the UN snapback mechanism, which expires on October 18. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Asia Japan PM Ishiba apologises to his party for election loss, vows to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore distribution business Singapore Malaysia-bound motorists urged to avoid Tuas Second Link on July 23 due to chemical spill exercise Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod against cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday that the E3 lack the legal standing to invoke the mechanism, arguing that their stance on Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last month made them no longer participants to a 2015 nuclear deal to which the snapback mechanism is linked. The three European countries, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to the nuclear pact - from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 - that lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme. In the past, Iran has used the threat of disrupting maritime transit in the Strait of Hormuz or no longer stopping Europe-bound drug trafficking as a means to push back against Western pressures on its nuclear programme. REUTERS
Straits Times
44 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Shares of Oiltek up 3.4% after company proposes secondary listing on Malaysian exchange
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Oiltek CEO Henry Yong said the proposed secondary listing is at a preliminary stage. SINGAPORE - Oiltek International announced on July 21 that the group is proposing a secondary listing of its entire issued shares on the main market of Bursa Malaysia Securities. Oiltek's board said the listing would be beneficial as it will allow the group to broaden its investor reach and base, potentially increase the liquidity of the company's shares and enhance the company's value through separate trading platforms. It would also enable the group to tap into additional platforms for future fundraising. The move would provide Oiltek with the flexibility to access different equity markets to raise funds after taking into consideration investors' demand as well as the cost of raising equity funding on the respective stock exchanges. No application has been made to Securities Commission Malaysia in relation to the proposed listing by Oiltek as of the morning of July 21. Shares of Oiltek rose strongly on the news, trading up 3.4 per cent, or 2.5 cents, to 75.5 cents as at 2.12pm on July 21. Henry Yong, chief executive officer of Oiltek, said: 'The board wishes to highlight that the proposed secondary listing is at a preliminary stage and will involve extensive preparatory work, and such preparatory work may involve an uncertain length of time. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Asia Japan PM Ishiba apologises to his party for election loss, vows to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Spirits distribution company Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore business Singapore Malaysia-bound motorists urged to avoid Tuas Second Link on July 23 due to chemical spill exercise Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod against cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition 'Further, the proposed secondary listing is subject to, among other things, the approvals of the relevant authorities and there is no assurance that the approval of the relevant authorities will be granted.' Oiltek first listed on the Catalist board of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) on March 3, 2022, before transferring to the mainboard of the bourse on June 6, 2025. Its market capitalisation stands at around $317.5 million to date.
Business Times
44 minutes ago
- Business Times
Macquarie to buy 12,000 student beds in Europe real estate push
[LONDON] Australian finance giant Macquarie has agreed to buy two student housing businesses in Europe that manage over 12,000 beds, in the latest sign of overseas investors pushing into the sector. Macquarie will buy two specialist student housing investment platforms - MILESTONE and BaseStack Living – for an undisclosed fee, the company said in a statement. Macquarie declined to comment on the deal value. The move is part of Macquarie's strategy of growing its private markets unit overseas after offloading its international public assets to Nomura. Student housing has become a hot market within real estate, with investors lured by the prospect of attractive returns at a time when prices have soured for more traditional assets like offices. The deal will pitch Macquarie against other large investors in the sector, including Blackstone, Legal & General and Greystar. Student accommodation has jumped to the top of European real estate investors' preferences of what to buy, overtaking rental housing more broadly, according to a June investor survey by trade body INREV. The platforms acquired by Macquarie span properties in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Denmark. Macquarie plans to expand the business to other European markets over time, said Brendan Jones, head of real estate for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Macquarie Asset Management. The owner of BaseStack Living, Justin Hamer, will be named chief executive of the combined student housing group. REUTERS
