Swiss selects manufacturers for its air defense systems replacement project BODLUV 2020

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Defence & Security News - Switzerland
 
 
Swiss selects manufacturers for its air defense systems replacement project BODLUV 2020
Armasuisse, the Swiss agency in charge of acquisitions of military equipment, announced on January 16 that it has selected three manufacturers for the replacement of existing medium range air defense systems in use in the Swiss armed forces. The project BODLUV 2020 (BODengestützte-Luft-Verteidigung 2020) aims to replace the ageing Swiss short and medium air defense systems, which are reaching the end of their useful life.
     
Swiss selects manufacturers for its air defense systems replacement project BODLUV 2020 640 001 BODLUV 2020 project aims to replace, among other, the ageing British Rapier surface-to-air missile system
     

The main ground-based air defense systems available today in the Swiss Army consist in Stinger light guided missile system, Rapier and the 35mm gun systems. The purpose of the BODLUV 2020 project is to replace these aging systems. The BODLUV 2020 project involves a of short-range system, as well as a medium range system. BODLUV 2020 project also establish the requirements for an integrated air defense.

The screening assessment as part of the 2020 BODLUV project was completed at 2014-end. Based on a list of manufacturers, a short list of candidates has been established for a medium-range system after analyzing the bases , concepts and interviews conducted. Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & CO companies (Germany), MBDA UK Ltd (UK) and Rafael Advance Defense Systems Ltd. (Israel) have been finally selected.

The acquisition of BODLUV 2020 medium-range system is already schedulded for the 2017 weapons acquisition program. The next step is to look for a Swiss company with the skills required to manage the project as general contractor.

The company will receive from the DDPS the mandate to proceed with the preparation of the acquisition (risk reduction) in 2015 and 2016.

RUAG, Thales Switzerland and Rheinmetall Air Defence companies will be invited to take part in the tender as a general contractor and will have the opportunity to submit to VBS in the first half of 2015, with their offers configuration variants of BODLUV 2020 medium-range system.