Switzerland To Restart Fighter Procurement Program

[Zarvan]

The Swiss government plans to evaluate a new fighter aircraft to replace ageing F/A-18 Hornet and F-5E Tiger II jet fighters.

The fighter replacement program had ground to a halt after Swiss voters rejected the procurement of 22 Gripen fighters in a referendum.

According to a statement by the Swiss Ministry of Defence translated by Defense-aerospace, the Federal Council was informed at its meeting on Wednesday, 24 February 2016 by Defense Minister Guy Parmelin of planned preparations for the evaluation of a new fighter.

By the spring of 2017, an internal expert group will publish a report addressing all questions relating to the need, the procedures and the industrial aspects of the search for a new fighter. An external expert group will accompany this work.

In 2017, funding for planning, testing and procurement preparation (known as EEP in Switzerland) for the procurement of a new fighter to will be submitted to Parliament. The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (VBS) will begin preparatory work in the spring of 2016.

The Minister of Defense will establish an expert group with representatives of the relevant departments of Army, armasuisse and the MoD General Secretariat.By January 2017, these experts will publish a report addressing all questions relating to the requirements, procedures and industrial aspects.

The experts will also address the future of the in-service aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet and F-5E Tiger II jet fighters. The expert group will be chaired by the Chief of Staff, and will be supervised by the Chief of Defence and the Chief of Armament (armasuisse).

Switzerland To Restart Fighter Procurement Program

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

http://www.financial-news.co.uk/384...-to-procure-new-fighter-aircraft-20161128093/

Switzerland to procure new fighter aircraft
BY GULLI ARNASON IN AIR AND TRAVEL · NOVEMBER 28, 2016

Switzerland has requested CHF10 million to support replacement of its fighter aircraft and keep some of its current combat inventory active for longer than previously intended, the country said.

Swiss voters rejected a proposed acquisition of 22 Saab Gripens in 2014, but in February 2016, Bern indicated that it would initiate a second attempt to purchase new fighters.

As part of that effort, defense minister Guy Parmelin formed a panel of experts to examine the requirements of Switzerland´s armed forces and the future of its air force´s Boeing F/A-18C/D and Northrop F-5 fleets.

A preliminary report produced by that group suggests that CHF10 million (USD9.88 million) is needed to support the design, testing and procurement preparations for a new fighter, plus as much as CHF490 million to extend the lives of the F/A-18s.

Switzerland says that if the required funding is allocated in its 2017 budget, the procurement effort would begin in 2018, leading to a selection in 2020, with first delivery in 2025.

Switzerland operates 30 F/A-18C/Ds and 53 F-5s, with plans to reduce the latter fleet to 26 aircraft.