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SuisseBern maintains the purchase of F-35A, and will “discuss” prices
Despite disagreement with the United States on the price of combat aircraft, the Swiss government continues the acquisition procedure.
We learned at the start of the week that the price of 36 F-35A, ordered in the United States, was likely to be quite high than the amount initially planned. Indeed, according to SRF, the invoice could increase by some additional 1.5 billion francs, the United States believing that the agreement with Switzerland did not guarantee any fixed prices. Recall that the population had already accepted in 2020 to pay the modest sum of six billion francs to ensure the renewal of its air defense.
Arrested on this subject by various political voices of all stripes, the Federal Council rendered its decision on Wednesday and it is final. Yes, he approves the rest of the fighting procedure for fighting aircraft, recommended by the Department of Defense (DDPS). And he intends to obtain them at the agreed price “contractually” with the United States. “This was officially confirmed, both by the expert reports of several lawyers and by the American Embassy in Bern,” he said in a statement.
National security invoked
Only problem, for the supplier, said fixed price is based on a “misunderstanding”. To achieve a solution, the Federal Council therefore decided to “continue diplomatic discussions and instructed the DDPS to submit a concrete proposal to resolve this problem”.
Do not displease the detractors of Lockheed Martin’s jets, the acquisition process will be maintained. And to support its argument, the government plays on national security. He considered that breaking the contract with the Americans would have considerable consequences and prevents guaranteeing peace in its airspace and for its population from 2032.
“No legal basis”
“It is amazing and deeply disappointing that the Federal Council continues to affirm that a fixed price is guaranteed,” said Pauline Schneider, group secretary for a Swiss without GSSA army. She believes that “there is simply no legal basis in the United States which obliges American taxpayers to assume the risks linked to military sales abroad”. The STOP F-35 alliance, which brings together the GSSA, the Greens and the PS requires that the Federal Council therefore “immediately” suspends the acquisition of its new planes.
