Switzerland is again looking to replace its F-5E light fighters fromwith the problem-hit fleet recently seeing a third of its aircraft retired prematurely. While F-5 owners like Brazil, Chile, Thailand, et. The difference is that the new acquisition failed to convince voters.

DID presents the background, the candidates, and what may come next. Their focus to date has been on aerial defense with lightweight fighters. Rather, it was a follow-on upgrade to the wildly successful F-5 Freedom Fighter, a low-budget aircraft designed to capture the lower tier of the non-Soviet global fighter market in the s and s. A number of countries still operate F-5s, but the airframes are very old. A squadron of 12 was leased to Austria while that country awaited their Eurofightersand 44 other F-5Es were sold to the US Navy.

All airframes have a limited safe flying hour limit, however, and older aircraft spend more time in the maintenance hangar for each hour of flight.

At best, hour patrols might be maintained for more than 14 days over an entire year, at the cost of shortening the hour coverage periods to just a few days at a time, and staggering these periods over the course of a year:. To remedy the coming gap when the F-5s retire, the Swiss needed numbers, availability, and new capabilities. As advances in electronics have driven multi-role capabilities down to lightweight fighters, the Swiss have begun moving toward a more-multi-role air force, which could also support its ground forces with precision weapons in the event of an attack.

The Hornets, too, will eventually fade from service, and so Switzerland wanted the same kind of capability in its new fighters. As the realities of the modern fighter market asserted themselves, the trainers became their own separate buy at 8 aircraft, and a low-cost bid for the fighter buy was submitted at CHF 3.

Extensive testing of each model was undertaken by the Swiss air force, using several scenarios. With testing complete, Dassault, EADS and Saab were all invited to submit a second bid offer in Januarywith bids due in April May was supposed see the release of the evaluation report prepared by armasuisse, and the Chief of Armament would consult with the Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS and the Commander of the Swiss Air Force to decide.

A winner was expected in Julyand the Partial Tiger Replacement was expected to be approved by the legislature alongside Armament Program The JAS Gripen was picked in December Developments in mid to late appear to indicate that it will. Whichever competitor won could always expect to face more political difficulties after their victory, and that remains true for Saab now. Even if the referendum had passed, a secure contract was going to take until mid at least.

The competitors to supply its next generation fighters were all European 4. The 3rd competitor was a single-engine lightweight multi-role fighter, rather than a medium sized twin-engine jet. Data from operating air forces has confirmed that the designers were also successful designing the Gripen for low maintenance and operating costs.

For Switzerland, this fighter also offered unique commonality benefits. A leaked report shook that confidence, as it revealed that the Gripen finished below the Rafale and Eurofighter in almost all areas, and was rated as not meeting competition specifications in key areas like air superiority. The Rafale offers a comparable set of capabilities to the Eurofighter.

Operations over Libya in were an excellent advertisement for the Rafale, but its spotty integration with the American weapons used by the Schweizer Luftwaffe was a potential issue. Rafale was rated ahead of the 2nd-place Eurofighter in air superiority tasks, and far ahead with respect to strike and reconnaissance.

Even its French-only equipment proved to be a plus, as its scores in key areas were boosted by vertical integration with high-end French products: One would have thought that consistent losses in export competitions would keep the pressure on France to offer a very attractive deal.

Could Dassault keep its price low enough, including initial training and spares, and offer weapon integration relief? That put paid to speculation that they might submit a lower-priced offer, using existing Eurofighters from a core partner nation. Some of those nations had reportedly been considering sales of their earlier models, as a way to pay for Tranche 3 order commitments.

Surprisingly, it also got low marks for its sensor integration and DASS defensive system, two areas that had been promoted as a strength. It was difficult to imagine a scenario in which the original Swiss budget yielded enough Super Hornet aircraft, and as is often the case in Europe, opposition to sales from American firms was expected to be a factor.

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Concerns were also expressed about the ability to fit these aircraft into the Swiss aircraft shelters, many of which are carved into mountainsides; indeed, there had been rumors that the Super Hornet would be excluded from the competition on those grounds alone. The Super Hornet offered solid performance, and was a legitimate competitor, with pricing that could match or beat competitors like the Rafale and Eurofighter — but it was flying into strong headwinds. In the end, the questions became moot.

Boeing looked at the RFP requirements, and bowed out. Swiss government makes every effort to lose the referendum — and narrowly do, killing the deal.

Nothing will happen until the revised Armed Forces Act comes into effect, which would formalize the Niederberger motion. At that point, the DDPS could submit a new notification to Parliament. Meanwhile, the 54 F-5s will continue to be maintained and fly. The DDPS also explicitly denies negotiations or sales to Uruguay, though DDPS is allowed to accept offers from other countries.

Textron is getting some extra publicity for its privately-developed Scorpion light attack and patrol jet, before its debut at Farnborough and RIAT this year.

The Scorpion is in a totally different class, being closer to an armed PC-9M turboprop but with better cruise speed and payload. We talked to Textron. The questions could also be raised: Do they want anything at all? If so, what are their needs? Unsurprisingly, a tepid and convictionless defense of the Gripen fighter deal results in a referendum loss, with projections showing about a The only surprise is that the margin was this narrow, indicating a winnable vote.

Compare and contrast with the September referendum, which resulted in the Swiss keeping conscription. Switzerland will need to depend on French and Italian jets for basic airspace protection, and Sweden is very likely to end up buying Brazilian Super Tucano trainers instead of Swiss PCs. A major push by referendum opponents begins, focused on the costs of maintaining, equipping, and flying the Gripens as well as the purchase price.

All true, though the referendum itself is solely about buying the planes. Unless, of course, their opponents cede the field. Pilatus and Saab have reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding to sell Sweden about 20 PC advanced turboprop trainers, which would replace the aged SK jet trainers. Swedish JAS Gripens are withdrawing from an air show at the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Lenzerheide:.

The government is facing a citizens-initiative referendum that will have final sway over whether the country should buy the Swedish jets…. Saab headquarters in Sweden told SR that the company was not engaging in any marketing activities in Switzerland whatsoever ahead of the plebiscite, which is scheduled for May. The order reportedly includes 4 work packages, with CHF RUAG is already soliciting sub-contractors within Switzerland.

An option for series production would make up the rest, but Saab can award it elsewhere if the Swiss referendum fails. The co-pilot on Ethiopian Airlines FLT ET from Addis Ababa to Rome locks himself in the cockpit while the pilot goes to the bathroom, announces a hijacking, and flies the Boeing jet into Geneva, Switzerland at 6: It lands with just 10 minutes of fuel left, and 1 of its 2 engines flamed out.

Instead, Italian Eurofighters intercept the plane, and hand it off to French Mirage s who escort the plane into Geneva. While Italy and France are reportedly authorized to fly their planes into Swiss airspace under such circumstances, neither is authorized to actually do anything.

Needless to say, the Swiss become a global joke. Motivated and committed political leadership could make this a turning point in the referendum.

The PCU finished in 4th place during the lower house elections, with DID is going to go out on a limb and predict that the government will lose this referendum, derailing the fighter purchase. Which makes betting on a flip a very dubious proposition. A number of defence authorities, several members of the Swedish Cabinet Office as well as seven Swedish ministers have been made aware of the plans. Sweden would also arrange a series of concerts and seminars.

And Maurer wanted to arrange regular air shows with Gripen jets in Switzerland, including during the Alpine Ski World Cup in March.

The idea is to give the Swiss people as positive an image as possible of Sweden. As opposed to their usual activities that present Sweden as a terrible place, and publicly blame its leaders for Abba? All of these are normal cultural and trade activities that take no public position on the referendum. Or are they supposed buy general atomics stock prices neglect and alienate a country that might become an important security partner?

The Swiss DDPS publishes its official referendum statement, advocating the Gripen-E purchase. Enfin, la Patrouille Suisse [DID: Cost is described as just CHF million per year from —about 0. Stock options cencosud exchange, DDPS cites CHF 2.

On the other hand, Saab is stepping into a direct political fight, and has to expect to be treated as a combatant by people like Swiss Social Democratic MP Evi Allemann. Can Ways to make money on a hobby farm win this fight, and will those on its side stand with the firm or distance themselves?

The opposition still has to collect 50, signatures first, but andromeda trading system code organized group is unlikely to fall short of that goal on a high-profile issue, while supported by sitting political parties, in a accurate forex signals software of 8 million people.

Political setbacks delay approval, but an end is in sight. That completes elected political approval, and the referendum is expected to happen in May Lawmakers in the Swiss National Council the larger lower house have voted — 70 — 5 in favor of the deal for 22 Gripen jet fighters, then approved a financing package.

This was expected following the Committee on National Security Policy vote, but this deal has seen political surprises before q. The referendum will have the final say. Saab makes its industrial benefits pitch to Switzerland, and explains how the process works. Saab Gripen Blog Full presentation [PDF]. The Swiss Committee on National Security Policy votes to table consideration of the JASE Gripen purchase, and votes not to resume in August, with the committee chair tipping the balance.

The committee reportedly maintains a favorable outlook for the concept of a fighter purchase, but they may wish to revisit some key contract terms. Finally, the committee wants a closer look at the bridging lease plans to fly earlier model Gripens, and expected costs from The last issue involves industrial offsets.

Swiss Parliament [in French] RTS Info [in French] Geneva Lunch Bloomberg. The Swiss Senate votes to approve the Gripen purchase by a narrow margin with 2 absences. Jeep wrangler parts melbourne Swiss law, however, it requires an absolute majority to disburse funds over CH 20 million, or CH 2 million in recurring payments. That means 24 votes in the Senate, or in Parliament.

That vote narrowly failed, Unlike the left-wing parties that want Switzerland to disarm, they might be convinced, and the deal will go to the National Council for further debate in June With a referendum coming, sharpened debate in Parliament could even be a positive thing — but only if proponents of the TTE fighter replacement project win by making a case, as opposed to winning by party discipline.

Swedish and Swiss pilots successfully test the Gripen-F Demo, and its new AESA radar, at Linkoping in Sweden. To become an order, Switzerland must pass and retain a Gripen Fund Act Federal Law, and this special fund is subject to an optional but probable referendum. Swiss DDPS [in German]. The Swiss government reveals the details of their Gripen deal. Their 22 planes will all be single-seat JASEs, delivered from at a firm-fixed-price cost of CHF 3.

That total is guaranteed by the Swedish government, and includes mission planning systems, initial spares and support, training, and certification. As a bridging step, Switzerland will replace its F-5 fleet beginning in with 11 rented Gripens 8 JASCs, 3 JASDs from Sweden, on an initial 5-year lease. This deal will now go to the Swiss Parliament, with the aim of passing the PA12 budget, as well as a specific law covering the Gripen purchase, by November There will almost certainly be a referendum, of course, which would push a contract signing out to mid — if and when the referendum campaign against the fighter purchase fails.

That signing would be accompanied by a A CHF million advance payment. Swiss Government release [in French] commodity option trading strategies presentation [PDF, in French] Swedish-Swiss Framework Agreement [PDF, in French] Bloomberg Flight International.

According to German Sunday newspaper Der Sonntag, Germany and EADS are offering 33 used Eurofighter jets to Switzerland for CHF 3. The German Air Force planes were made in Vtr aftermarket stock is no corroboration from official sources yet. Back in Decemberarmasuisse said it would consider used offers but they were doubtful of forex outlook eur usd chances to succeed for a likely lack of fit with technical expectations.

Early model Eurofighters would be an almost certain failure, given their limited multi-role capabilities, unless they received significant upgrades.

Reuters Der Sonntag [Swiss edition, in German] Aargauer Zeitung [in German]. The countries will reportedly share support and upgrade costs under an umbrella model.

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Final details of specifications, delivery dates, prices, equipment and infrastructure have reportedly been settled, pending final approval from Swiss political authorities. The FDP Party is currently wavering, but if they can be convinced to approve the deal, it will go on to a national referendum. They have met 10 times since Februaryand deplore the many leaks that occurred since late last year. They find that military requirements were pretty vague. Overall they see a pattern of unhelpful miscommunications and misunderstandings.

The German-language press notes, however, that Switzerland can now point to the weaknesses outlined in the report as a way to strengthen its negotiating position with Sweden. Swiss test pilots come to Linkoping, Sweden for simulator training and 4 test ninjatrader futures demo in the Gripen Demo.

Flight profiles extended to 40, feet and Mach 1. The minister promises that the bill will remain below SFR 3. Sweden is looking to buy next-generation Gripens, and full coordination will probably require agreement on many aspects of aircraft configuration. It will also require political savage 10ml ii stock. Delays in Sweden could make for rough sledding in Switzerland.

The overall delay also gives Swiss opponents of the deal more how to trade forex with metatrader 4 to mobilize. Swiss defense minister Ueli Maurer offers a more active defense of the Gripen deal, and clarifies his stance. But Maurer took a sideways step in public, telling reporters that Switzerland remained open to other formal offers.

If true, it effectively creates another round of bidding. Swiss government release [in German] Saab release Swissinfo World Radio Switzerland Reuters. Swiss evaluation leaked. The report says that the Gripen did not, however, leaving the entire basis of the Swiss selection open to question.

The Eval Report. This reflects prudent uncertainty until that final Gripen configuration is set, produced, and tested. The underlying basis for these conclusions remains murky, because that aspect was not leaked, only the end scoring and some comments. Vertical integration adds cost, but helps in some contests.

The Rafale benefited from the high performance of its ancillary French equipment, in gaining its high ratings. GPS-guided bombs and its SPECTRA EW suite helped improve its strike score, and equipment like its high-end Reco NG pod enhanced its reconnaissance score.

Swiss defense minister Ueli Maurer stated that he had not seen this report, and emphasized long term costs as a heavy meaning of swap in forex trading on their decision. Expatica Switzerland Swissinfo World Radio Switzerland AP. Swedish MoD official Hakan Jevrell adds that Switzerland can sign the Gripen kursy walut online forex money directly with the Swedish government, which would act fx verminator air rifle reviews a guarantor in the event of any difficulty in delivering the aircraft.

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Dassault makes Switzerland a new offer: The Swiss could be forgiven for asking what has changed, and why the previous offer was so high. While continued lobbying is expected by all parties until a contract is signed, that sort of tactic goes far znani traderzy forex standard and expected behavior.

Which can turn the process from a standard political affair, into a set of powerful enemies, with personal grudges that are held for quite some time. AFP via Yahoo France 24 Bloomberg. Competition postponed, but new budget re-opens TTE competition, Gripen picked as the winner; 2 more PC trainers. He continues to urge a referendum to settle the political issue, and adds that:. Swiss companies, above all small and medium sized businesses KMU in the high-tech area, must get export possibilities up to the financial extent of the fighter plane price.

That is part of the deal… compliance to this obligation is supervised by a joined office of Armasuisse, of Swissmem and the group of entrepreneurs GRPM in Western Switzerland… All three aircraft manufacturers have already issued compensation deals of roughly million francs in total.

If that fails, it will seek to delay any purchase until Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer estimates the cost of the envisaged deal at up to CHF 3. The DDPS explicitly stated that Gripen also won because it offered lower maintenance costs that made it affordable over the medium and long term. If the contract goes through, Switzerland will join Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa, and Thailand as Gripen operators. Contract options are scheduled for presentation by Februarywhereupon the package will be proposed to the Swiss national parliament as part of the weapons plan.

The catch is that the buy requires about CHF million in savings from elsewhere. Swiss Chief of the Armed Forces Lt. Andre Blattmann has gone on record in favor of a referendum over American put option binomial pricing TTE program.

The Swiss Green Party and their allies have stated that they intend to try. Aviation Week reports that the Swiss government is expected to announce the F-5 replacement program winner around mid-December A long and concerted lobbying effort by defense minister Mauer leads to approval by the Swiss House of Representatives and Senate for a SFR 5 billion per year armed forces budget, instead of SFR 4. Other funds will address army readiness, and keep the minimum number of soldiers in the Swiss militia army at , instead of dropping to just 75, With all of the contender evaluations done, Switzerland suspends the competition.

Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer confirms earlier rumors, saying that the defense and finance departments will work together and create a set of requirements for a purchase by With respects to the Swiss evaluation process, the minister claims that the actual cost of replacing 22 F-5s would reach an estimated CHF 3.

The Swiss air force orders another 2 Pilatus PCs for its Jet Pilot Training System, in a CHF 30 million deal that brings their total fleet to 8. Funding for the PC and F-5 TTE program were originally grouped into a single account, but this eventually changed. Updated RFP; Recommendation delay; Revised bids in; Competition to be dropped?

Swiss F-5s to US Navy. The Swiss DDPS admits that defense minister Ueli Maurer has asked the cabinet to suspend the new fighter purchase, in order to devote funds to the Army instead. A decision is expected in spring From the DDPS release, French version:. Le Conseil federal prendra une decision au printemps prochain.

Armasuisse announces [in French] that all 3 competitors have submitted revised bids. The Swiss Federal Council decides to maintain the timing of the partial replacement of the Tiger TTE competition, in spite of the proposed national referendum. It wants TTE plans and budgets included as part of the wider national defense review in Springand plans to continue the evaluations in the meantime so as to be ready for budgeting in the Armament program.

Swiss media report that Defence Minister Ueli Maurer asked the cabinet to drop the F-5 replacement project and spend the money on other equipment, logistics and military buildings instead. Swissinfo gives a rumored figure of about 12 planes maximum, but given known fighter costs for some of the contenders, that seems low.

A Swiss defence ministry spokesman would only say that the cabinet would take a final decision on the jets as planned in January KRO reporter video [Flash, in Dutch with some English] Defense Aerospace KRO partial translation. A national referendum in Switzerland requiressignatures from eligible voters, in a country that had about 7. The Swiss aircraft had far lower flight-hours per airframe average flight hours: They also added a number of useful improvements: The ex-Swiss planes can be identified by their new designation: Armasuisse announces that it will not deliver its fighter replacement recommendations until after December The Swiss Federal Council has instructed its DDPS defense sub-ministry to submit a report on security policy by that date, and armasuisse will not deliver any recommendation before that report is released.

If retaliation is not the motive, however, in could mean that the program as a whole is in trouble. Armasuisse [in French] defpro Reuters UK. Armasuisse announces an updated RFP, in which the manufacturers are asked to do 2 things: The first is to submit an offer for 22 aircraft.

The second is to explain how many aircraft can be delivered for the budgeted CHF 2. Maintenance costs will also be evaluated, and the bidders now have a chance to refine that aspect if they wish. Armasuisse also wants the manufacturers to arrange training for Swiss pilots at a base in the manufacturing country, and to submit proposals for cooperation with Swiss industry that enables Switzerland to participate in further development of the chosen fighter.

The manufacturers now have until mid April to submit an updated offer. PCs bought; TTE Testing program; No buying used; Boeing bows out; Expect a referendum. Armasuisse says that it would accept a used aircraft offer if it were submitted, but that offer would be evaluated on the same basis as the existing Eurofighter, Gripen, and Rafale bids.

Eurofighter partner nations who do not wish to pay the penalties for canceling Tranche 3 purchases may find it expedient to sell their Tranche 1 aircraft as an offset, if re-export customers can be secured.

The Swedish Air Force has been contemplating a sharp reduction in its JAS fleet, and might also be interested in a government to government sale. Tests with the three candidates for the Partial Tiger Replacement TTE are now complete, and the go-forward schedule is declared.

Reuters reports that the left-wing GSoA Group for a Switzerland without an Army continues to organize a referendum aimed at killing the new jet purchase.

GSoA secretary Patrick Angele:. Fighter jets make too much noise and are damaging to the environment… We have already secured 55, signatures [of therequired]. A representative poll by Demoscope shows that 66 percent of all voters are against the purchase. We are confident for the referendum. The Eurofighter Typhoon lands in Switzerland to begin trials. Armasuisse announces that flight tests of the JASD Gripen are underway and on schedule.

Saab announces that it has submitted its proposal to Switzerland. Bid submission release Industrial cooperation release. Armasuisse details the selection testing process for the Partial Tiger Replacement TTE program. Trials will take place at the Emmen airbase for the most part, though Meiringen, Sion and Payerne will also be used. Each manufacturer will supply a 2-seat version of their fighter, to accommodate both a manufacturer test pilot and a Swiss pilot.

Each candidate aircraft will then undertake about 30 flights, including night and supersonic flights. Swiss Hornet and Tiger fighters will also participate, executing about 50 flights overall as simulated targets and formation flying partners.

All manufacturers will be invited to submit a second offer after the flight and ground tests, whose evaluation data will be added to procurement costs per aircraft, maintenance costs, infrastructure costs, and generation of noise.

PC program underway, explained. Armasuise announces that they have carried out acceptance tests with the first 4 of their new PC aircraft, at Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in Stans, Switzerland:. The system is to be used primarily for the training of jet pilots.

In current Swiss budgetary proposals, the PC and F-5 TTE replacement programs are grouped together under the same total spending limit. See also Armasuisse release:.

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This particularly applies to the current supplementary equipment Armament Program 03 and to the planned maintenance of capabilities Armament Program The competing firms are invited to submit their first offers by the middle ofwith in-flight evaluations to take place in Switzerland later in The costs of acquiring the Tiger replacement aircraft, as well as additional Swiss Pilatus PC advanced turpoprop training aircraft to add to the 6 already ordered, is estimated at approximately 2.

DDSP release [French] Gripen International release, where the Swedish competitor was quick to emphasize its own advantages:. Saab Aerosystems appoints Swiss firm RUAG as single source supplier for drop tanks to the Gripen. At the same time, an initial EUR 4 million order for more than 60 export drop-tanks was announced, with first deliveries scheduled for August Schweitzer Luftwaffe — Tiger-Teilersatz TTE [in German].

Schweitzer Luftwaffe — Northrop F-5E Tiger II [in German]. Air Force Technology — Eurofighter Typhoon Multi-Role Combat Fighter, Europe. DID's daily email newsletter keeps you abreast of contract developments, pictures, and data, put in the context of their underlying political, business, and technical drivers. Defense program acquisition news, budget data, market briefings.

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Find out what you have been missing. Apr 23, Keep reading for the whole story with recent events put in context. Swiss F-5Es click to view full. F-5Es, out on loan click to view full. Rafale B click to view full. Super Hornet click to view full. Swiss F-5Fs click to view full. Plan B click to view full. Bundeshaus click to view full. Gripen Demo click to view full. For strike missions, the Swiss valued engagement of multiple targets in one pass.

GPS-guided weapons are the obvious method for that. Both competitors are integrating GPS-guided weapons, but they were well behind both the Rafale, and the Swiss evaluation period. This cost both competitors. The Eurofighter is still qualifying Paveway IV and EGBU Enhanced Paveway dual-guidance GPS weapons. It will be interesting to see if and how this question plays out in debates, and which details emerge. All competitors were actually weak in this area inwith the Gripen Cobra HMDEurofighter Striker HMD just remedying this defect now.

The report cites Eurofighter supercruise at Mach 1. This is a useful public data point, but seems to have been done without weapons. Gripen International click to view full. New owner click to view full. JASD test flight click to view full. PC click to view full. DDSP release [French] Gripen International release, where the Swedish competitor was quick to emphasize its own advantages: Archives MIL BIZ GEO DAY Aircraft Air Reconnaissance.

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