Switzerland and its combat aircraft: a succession of failures

F-35 problems are not an isolated case. For example, If the Swiss army wants to buy new combat aircraft. Meanwhile, it has regularly encountered big difficulties since the 1960s and even a federal advisor has already resigned.

In Switzerland. For example, the purchase of new combat aircraft regularly puts politicians in embarrassment and warms switzerland its combat aircraft: succession the spirits of voters.

“Sometimes the parliament is deceived. Furthermore, Sometimes the planes are simply too expensive. Similarly, And sometimes. Consequently, the people simply do not want to do what is asked of it, “said the” Blick “last week by leaning on” decades of bankruptcy, unluckiness and breakdowns “.

It all started with the so -called “mirage” scandal. However, which occupied public opinion in the early 1960s and sustainably shaken confidence in the army and political institutions.

The resignation of the Minister of Defense Paul Chaudet at the end of November 1966 marked the end of the case. However, The scandal also led to the creation of the first parliamentary commission of inquiry.

From the aborted vote on the purchase of 22 Gripen planes in 2014 in the Mirage affair in the early 1960s. Therefore, return to the history of the Swiss Air Force.

2014: a macho discourse drops the gripen

In 2010. Therefore, the Federal Council chose the Gripen of the Swedish manufacturer Saab as a fighting aircraft – although it is not first position in the technical assessment. Meanwhile, Sweden wants to finish the development of the jet in collaboration with the local armament group Ruag. For example, while Switzerland hopes to acquire more technical know-how.

Subsequently, secret reports were made public. In addition, These documents reveal that the versatile monoreactor combat aircraft would have failed tests. For example, At the same time, Swiss military pilots express their concerns because they want to buy a better plane.

The Federal Council does not make the best figure at that time either. The culmination is a pro-Gripen manifestation. during which the federal adviser Ueli Maurer makes a macho remark and compares housewives to usual objects: “How many usual objects of 30 years do you still have at home?” Response from Maurer: “With us, there are no more, except of course the woman who takes care of the cleaning”.

The consequence? A reminder to order in the ballot box: 53.4% ​​of Swiss say no to Gripen. For the first time in 20 years, voters reject a military policy project.

1993: the “Stop F/A-18” initiative shares the army – Switzerland its combat aircraft: succession

In switzerland its combat aircraft: succession the spring of 1992. the National Council and the Council of States said yes to the purchase of 34 combat aircraft of the American type F/A-18 for a price of 3.5 billion francs. But this acquisition does not take place without clashes on the political scene.

Following the purchasing decision, the group for an army without an army (GSSA) launched a popular initiative “Stop F/A 18”. This is certainly rejected by voters in 1989. The 42.8% of positive votes are however a clear sign of mistrust.

Five years later, the first F/A-18 combat planes were delivered. A few months before the last device was given to the army in 1999. a device crashed in the canton of Valais.

Today, Swiss air forces still have 30 F/A-18 combat planes. However, only half of them are maintained for the commitment.

1972: give up the Corsair. then not make the best choice

“After the Mirage scandal in 1964, the air forces have trouble acquiring the new combat planes they have an urgent need. In 1972. the Federal Council even refused to sign a ready -to -use purchase contract, “wrote the” Woz “in April 2008 in the fifth episode of its series on the history of Swiss combat aircraft.

In 1972, the Federal Council said no to the purchase of the Corsair switzerland its combat aircraft: succession A-7D due to too tight federal finances.

The chief of the air forces of the time. Eugen Studer, fears to end up with a little credible fleet without modern aircraft. “We will not set up an antiquity store in the air forces,” he said, quoted by the media.

Three years later. the financial prospects are still not pink, but the Confederation and the Parliament still agree on the purchase of new combat aircraft. In August 1975, the yes prevailed switzerland its combat aircraft: succession for the purchase of 72 F-5 Tiger for a price of around 1.2 billion francs.

Critical voices certainly say that the plane is not the best. but that it is certainly the most suitable given the financial possibilities.

The acquisition of the Tiger is also marred by the Lockheed scandal. Several manufacturers of American weapons are involved in this corruption case. The tiger manufacturer, Northrop, is also faced with charges of bribes. The Confederation finally discovers the company by opening an investigation.

1964: After the mirage scandal. heads fall

On June 30, 1960, the Federal Council presented a new order of troops: Switzerland had to set up an army equipped with high-tech equipment, capable of facing any opponent. The National Council. the Council of States approved the project in the fall of 1960, against the votes of the left.

A year later. Additionally, the Federal Council switzerland its combat aircraft: succession logically declared that he wanted to acquire 100 French mirage: “Without this renewal and this modernization of the Air Force Air Force Park, the work started would not only be incomplete, but it would suffer from an essential weakness”.

Parliament approves 870 million francs – but the costs are not long in slipping. In 1964, the Federal Council asked for an additional credit of 576 million francs. Four weeks later. the federal adviser Kurt Furgler went to the national council: “The Federal switzerland its combat aircraft: succession Council did not fulfill its mandate”. And to continue: “There is a limit value for authorized underestimations; This limit value is exceeded here ”.

“The Furgler report. which is equivalent to a supersonic political bang in these troubled times, has the consequence that only 57 mirage planes will be bought instead of 100. Immediately. the heads of the chief of the general staff Jakob AnnaSohn and Etienne Primault, chief of arms of the air forces, fall”, this is how the “NZZ” returns in 2014 to the mirage scandal.

Federal advisor Paul Chaudet, although his image is at the bottom, manages to maintain himself. The resignation of the Minister of Defense in November 1966 marked the end of the case.

Until 1970, 57 mirage were delivered. Switzerland buys a total of 61 models, ten of which are lost over the years following a crash. Until the late 1990s, switzerland its combat aircraft: succession they constituted the backbone of the air forces.

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