Swiss voters approve $6.5 billion purchase of fighter jets

Kevin Martin

Swiss voters approve $6.5 billion purchase of fighter jets - TODAYonline

Published 27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

 

UPDATED 27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

ZURICH - Swiss voters backed the government's plan to spend up to 6 billion Swiss francs (5.07 billion pounds) on new fighter jets in a surprisingly close referendum that was won with a 50.2% majority, official results showed on Sunday.

Opinion polls had shown the plan would easily win approval in a country where armed neutrality is a tradition.

Approving funding in the binding referendum will let the government decide next year among the Eurofighter from Airbus, the Rafale from France's Dassault, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, or the Lockheed Martin F35-A Lightning II.

The aircraft would replace Switzerland's ageing fleet of 30 F/A-18 Hornets, which will go out of service in 2030.

New jets are to be delivered by 2025. REUTERS

'Who is our enemy?' Neutral Switzerland votes on fighter jets

Saab’s Gripen is out of the running in Swiss aircraft race

Government performs fighter jet U-turn

Saab has submitted its proposal for the Swiss New Fighter Aircraft procurement

Swiss to vote (again) on buying new jet fighters

Wings of air force clipped in nationwide ballot