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Swiss Could Buy up to 70 New Combat Jets: Task Force
Reuters ^ | May 30, 2017

Posted on 05/31/2017 5:49:27 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

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Switzerland is looking to replace its fleet of Boeing McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C and D Hornets and outdated Northrop F-5 Tigers, all of which are scheduled to be retired in the 2020s.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


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; swiss; switzerland

A F/A-18C Hornet fighter jet of the Swiss Air Force is pictured during a presentation at the airbase in Payerne, Switzerland March 27, 2017. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse REUTERS

1 posted on 05/31/2017 5:49:27 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Why do the Swiss need an air force ?


2 posted on 05/31/2017 5:56:13 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Baseball players, gangsters and musicians are remembered. But journalists are forgotten.)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

> Why do the Swiss need an air force? <

To provide air cover for their navy.


3 posted on 05/31/2017 6:00:20 AM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

If you want to retain your neutrality, you have to be able to defend it.


4 posted on 05/31/2017 6:01:56 AM PDT by AFreeBird
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To: AFreeBird

The sucked up to the Nazis.


5 posted on 05/31/2017 6:05:07 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Baseball players, gangsters and musicians are remembered. But journalists are forgotten.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Swiss enemies will not come by air, they will walk and sneak in


6 posted on 05/31/2017 6:21:56 AM PDT by allendale (.)
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To: Yaelle

FYI ping.


7 posted on 05/31/2017 7:11:41 AM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: Army Air Corps

My ex flew the Tiger for a while.

The Swiss AF is awesome, people, don’t pooh pooh them. Go to CH and watch their exercises.


8 posted on 05/31/2017 8:12:44 AM PDT by Yaelle (#IStandWithHannity)
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To: Leaning Right

If any post deserved a reply it would be that one.
Kudos and a hardy HA! from a Swiss-Italian 25 percenter!


9 posted on 05/31/2017 8:22:34 AM PDT by Sivad (NorCal red turf)
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