Switzerland disposes of its Rapier SAMs

The Swiss Army decommissioned and is disposing of Rapier air defense systems. The first part of the units was already dismantled. Experts believe that this weapon could be handed over to Ukraine.

NZZ media reported this.

“It is planned that all systems will be dismantled and disposed of,” said Kaj-Gunnar Sievert, Spokesman of the Armasuisse, Federal Office for Defence Procurement.

Switzerland purchased the Rapier systems in the 1980s. In 2007, the federal government invested in their modernization. Back then, the military purchased 2,000 modern guided missiles.

They will now also be disposed of as Switzerland decommissioned the Rapier at the end of 2022.

Peter Schneider, former Editor-in-Chief of the Allgemeine Schweizerische Militaerzeitschrift (ASMZ), stressed that this armament was old but still operational. The United Kingdom used this system to defend the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

“They can be very well used against low-altitude targets such as drones. Repair SAMs could also be used against fighter jets or helicopters,” he added.

Schneider also emphasized that Ukraine could use these weapons to combat drones and protect critical infrastructure.

The disposal of the systems caused a debate among politicians involved in security issues.

It is noted that the transfer of weapons to Ukraine would be legally possible as it is a British-produced system, therefore, completely different export rules apply to it.

Rapier re-export

According to the decision of the Swiss Federal Council of 2006, foreign weapons should be sold back to the producing country in the first order. The decision emphasizes that the sale takes place “without any conditions.” In addition, Switzerland should not demand the re-export ban.

However, Bern did not receive a request from London. The decision to dispose of the systems was made in 2019, however, the Swiss government did not ask whether the UK would be interested in Rapier.

“It is not typical for Switzerland to actively offer decommissioned military systems for sale,” says Armasuisse press secretary Kaj-Gunner Sievert.

At the same time, the UK phased out the Rapier systems in 2021. The Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom said that they disposed of all these missiles before the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Later, that caused criticism, and the main argument was that Ukraine could need these weapons.

In addition to the Rapier systems that are now being disposed of, Switzerland will decommission M113 armored personnel carriers and more than 100 M109 artillery systems.

Rapier

Rapier and its export version Jernas is a surface-to-air air defense system. It was initially developed for the British Ministry of Defense as a defense system during the Cold War era (it was first deployed in 1971).

The most modern version of the Rapier air defense system uses MBDA-made Rapier Mk 2 missiles. The missile can shoot down targets at a maximum range of 8 km and an altitude of 5 km.

Previously, the Lower House of the Swiss Parliament – the National Council – rejected a proposal to ease the ban on the re-export of ammunition and weapons.

MPs are ready to change this decision if the UN General Assembly condemns this aggressive war and the aggressor country by two-thirds of votes.