Switzerland Plans to Spend $8 Billion to buy Fighter Jets, Missiles

[Zarvan]

The government plans to spend CHF500 million on technical upgrades of the existing F/A-18 Hornets
- A +
The Swiss government plans to spend $8 billion (CHF8 billion) to buy new fighter jets and missile defences.

The Federal Council on Wednesday tasked the defence ministry with looking at potential aircraft, wanting it to begin talks with Airbus, Boeing, Dassault, Lockheed Martin and Saab, SwissInfo reported Thursday.

The government has planned to raise the army’s annual budget by 1.4%. It is currently around CHF5 billion ($5 billion).

The timetable foresees the decision on the type of jet being taken in 2020. Two years later, a procurement credit would be submitted to parliament. The jets would then be delivered in 2025 and the fleet ready for action in 2030, the news daily reported.

The government plans to spend CHF500 million as part of the 2017 armament program for technical upgrades of the existing 30 Boeing F/A-18 fighter jets. The fighters will remain operational as originally planned.

As well as for defence, neutral Switzerland uses fighter jets to police the skies during events such as the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Swiss Defence Minister Guy Parmelin said on Wednesday he saw no alternative to buying new jets and missile defences. This was the only way Swiss airspace could be protected and defence guaranteed, he said.

While he didn’t expect Switzerland to be attacked next year, this was a long-term investment, he added.

Who will make the new jets? The government is eyeing five models. In addition to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, three planes are in the mix that featured in a previous failed attempt to buy new jets: Saab’s Gripen, Airbus’s Eurofighter and Dassault’s Rafale.



In May 2014, Swiss voters rejected a CHF3.1 billion order for Gripen fighter jets. The 22-plane contract was opposed by 53.4% of voters.

Gripen opponents had argued that the planes would cost CHF10 billion over their lifetime, money that could be deployed elsewhere. The fighter plane’s supporters said neutral Switzerland needed the Gripen to defend its airspace. That claim was undermined in February 2014 with the forced landing of an Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise plane in Geneva. The hijacked plane had to be escorted by French and Italian jets as the Swiss air force didn’t operate outside business hours.

The announcement however has not got a go ahead from certain political parties. The political right doubts if the funds allocated would be sufficient to buy 40 fighters for the armed forces.

The left criticised the government project as "unrealistic" and "oversized", while centrist groups were cautiously optimistic.

The pacifist Switzerland without an Army group urged the government to put the project to a nationwide vote, saying it would oppose the purchase.

The government still has to decide on the procedure.

“Now is not the time to discuss the number of planes, but to analyse what permutation of jets and anti-aircraft missiles is the best,” Parmelin said.

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/21...on_to_buy_Fighter_Jets__Missiles#.WgWTxGiCxPY

 

[Politico]

The hijacked plane had to be escorted by French and Italian jets as the Swiss air force didn’t operate outside business hours.

Is this for real ?

 

[Vergennes]

Is this for real ?

Because of budgetary restrictions,the Swiss Air Force could only intervene during business hours. (8am to 12pm - 13:30 to 17:00)

Outside the business hours,Switzerland relied on its allies to defend its sky. Foreign aircrafts have the right to enter the Swiss airspace in event of an imminent danger.

The Ethiopian aircraft was escorted by two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons before being escorted by two French Mirage 2000C.

Switzerland plans to police its skies 24 hours a day by 2020.

@xenon54 @Dotachin

 

[mike2000 is back]

Is this for real ?

I don't think they need to even spend much on the ur military. Their focus shiyld be on improving the living conditions of their citizens, even though they are already among the wealthiest countries on earth. Switzerland is a relatively small country and doesn't face any threats whatsoever from its neighbours or even foreign powers. So I think their leaders have been doing the right thing in focusing on their economy and making sure their people enjoy the best living standards the world had to offer.

So I understand the above statement. Why spend billions for no good reason. Giving its size and non existent threat level Switzerland doesn't need all this militaristic focus.

 

[Dotachin]

Switzerland plans to police its skies 24 hours a day by 2020.

I think its due to the embarrassment and shame, as they became a butt of all jokes after this incident. Still think its waste of money. It would be better if they could contract out the air security to NATO or France. We don't actually need a real air force.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

In order to attack swiss , people have to know where Swiss is on the map

 

[xenon54 out]

Because of budgetary restrictions,the Swiss Air Force could only intervene during business hours. (8am to 12pm - 13:30 to 17:00)

Outside the business hours,Switzerland relied on its allies to defend its sky. Foreign aircrafts have the right to enter the Swiss airspace in event of an imminent danger.

The Ethiopian aircraft was escorted by two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons before being escorted by two French Mirage 2000C.

Switzerland plans to police its skies 24 hours a day by 2020.

@xenon54 @Dotachin

The thing is Switzerland is so small its airspace is quite hard to find, terrorists planning an attack could just aswell hit France or Germany.
France better keep policing its sky together with Swiss airspace.

 

[Vergennes]

The thing is Switzerland is so small its airspace is quite hard to find, terrorists planning an attack could just aswell hit France or Germany.
France better keep policing its sky together with Swiss airspace.

What a very smart attempt to make others police your skies and without giving a single penny.

 

[xenon54 out]

What a very smart attempt to make others police your skies and without giving a single penny.

Actually we prefer you to give your money to us so we can store them safely while your planes protect us.

 

[Vergennes]

Actually we prefer you to give your money to us so we can store them safely while your planes protect us.

Who would have thought this country is full of geniuses ?!

 

[xenon54 out]

Who would have thought this country is full of geniuses ?!

Einstein went to school in Zurich.

 

[dani191]

I don't think they need to even spend much on the ur military. Their focus shiyld be on improving the living conditions of their citizens, even though they are already among the wealthiest countries on earth. Switzerland is a relatively small country and doesn't face any threats whatsoever from its neighbours or even foreign powers. So I think their leaders have been doing the right thing in focusing on their economy and making sure their people enjoy the best living standards the world had to offer.

So I understand the above statement. Why spend billions for no good reason. Giving its size and non existent threat level Switzerland doesn't need all this militaristic focus.

they need to protect there borders from non legal imigrents

 

[xyxmt]

what about Swiss Army Knife, not good enough for ya anymore