Switzerland and Germany sign pact for joint Sky Shield initiative

Switzerland and Germany have agreed to jointly purchase multiple ground-based air defense systems as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, in a push by the two countries to ramp up collaboration in defense procurement.

The agreement foresees the purchase of medium-range ground-based air defense from German manufacturer Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG, the Swiss government said in a statement Thursday. Negotiations with the manufacturer are largely completed and the contract is expected to be signed in coming weeks, the government said.