The deliberate buy has already been signed by the US, the place producer Lockheed Martin has its headquarters, the Swiss authorities mentioned in an announcement. The procurement value will embrace mission-specific gear, weapons and ammunition, in addition to logistics, mission-planning and coaching help, it mentioned.
Late final month, opponents succeeded in a petition drive to place the deliberate buy to a referendum, however Swiss authorities officers have argued that voters had already agreed to it and the contract was already set to be signed, so any timetable for a referendum could be too late.
Opponents say the planes are too costly, would tie Swiss safety too carefully to the US and are ill-suited for the wants of Switzerland. The Swiss air power principally makes use of such fighters for air patrols in its European skies and never in conflicts overseas.
The Swiss structure holds that Switzerland is a impartial nation, curbing its means to participate in overseas conflicts.
Canada, Finland and Germany are amongst different Western international locations which have additionally opted for the F-35. The Swiss authorities selected the fighters in June in a contest towards Boeing’s F/A-18 Tremendous Hornet, France’s Rafale and the Eurofighter. The brand new jets are to interchange the nation’s growing older fleet of F/A-18 Hornets and F-5 Tigers.
