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]

As far as I understand, the popular movement behind the campaign against buying Gripen
is against ANY purchase of fighters, so good luck with that...

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

As far as I understand, the popular movement behind the campaign against buying Gripen
is against ANY purchase of fighters, so good luck with that...

We're talking about a country whos AirForce flies from 8am to 5pm.

Also a country that has the money of every other country in the world, that too recorded in paper ledgers. Want to know how Switzerland has managed to remain neutral all these centuries? They threatened to buy all the ledgers if they were to be attacked. That's my theory.

 

[madmusti]

We're talking about a country whos AirForce flies from 8am to 5pm.

Also a country that has the money of every other country in the world, that too recorded in paper ledgers. Want to know how Switzerland has managed to remain neutral all these centuries? They threatened to buy all the ledgers if they were to be attacked. That's my theory.

They manage your money, thats the Reason

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

They manage your money, thats the Reason

I spent my money buying Zimbabwean & Venezuelan Treasury Bonds, along with real estate property on the moon & Mars.

That's where the future is bro.

 

[madmusti]

I spent my money buying Zimbabwean & Venezuelan Treasury Bonds, along with real estate property on the moon & Mars.

That's where the future is bro.

Probably, but most of the Money & some Databases are stored there ^^

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

We're talking about a country whos AirForce flies from 8am to 5pm.

Also a country that has the money of every other country in the world, that too recorded in paper ledgers. Want to know how Switzerland has managed to remain neutral all these centuries? They threatened to buy all the ledgers if they were to be attacked. That's my theory.

All these centuries?
Switzerland became neutral at the Vienna Congress after the Napoleonic War, so it is 200 years.
It was not their own decision.
Basically the major powers, Great Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia
decided that Swiss Mercenaries, which had rampaged Europe for centuries,
were no longer wanted, nor needed in European Wars in the future.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-swiss-defence-idUSKBN18Q15U


Switzerland could eventually be in the market for as many as 70 new fighter jets or as few as 20 under scenarios laid out on Tuesday by a defense ministry task force examining how to replace the neutral country's aging air force fleet.

The most expensive and powerful option would be to buy 55-70 aircraft and ground-based air defense weapons for an estimated 15 billion to 18 billion Swiss francs ($15.3-$18.4 billion), according to the report.

It did not say which aircraft the government should consider.

The least expensive option would be procuring 20 jets and accompanying ground-based air defense systems for 5 billion francs. Other options called for buying 40 or 30 new aircraft plus surface-to-air defense support.

Switzerland is looking to replace its fleet of Boeing McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C and D Hornets and outdated Northrop F-5 Tigers, all of which are scheduled to be retired in the 2020s.

The cheapest option would mean keeping the F/A-18s in service longer than planned, the panel said.

It suggested the government decide by 2020 what kind of jets to buy and to finance the deal via the regular defense budget.

That would help avoid the risk of having to subject the purchase to a popular referendum under the Swiss system of direct democracy. Voters in 2014 shot down plans to buy 22 Gripen E fighters made by Swedish company Saab AB.