The Federal Council has decided on a joint procedure with Sweden for the acquisition of 22 Gripen fighters intended for the partial replacement of the Tiger fighters (TTE program). This implies a postponement of initial deliveries of the new aircraft.
It has also been decided to set up a dedicated fund to finance the TTE program.
On November 30, 2011, the Federal Council decided to acquire 22 combat aircraft Gripen type in the weapons program in 2012.
The DDPS was then instructed to optimize Saab’s offerin cooperation with the Swedish government.
Although negotiations with the latter are not yet complete, it appears that it is in the interest of Switzerland to purchase 22 Gripen in parallel and in common with the Swedish government, which plans to order 60 to 80 aircraft.
That is why the Federal Council today approved to coordinate its planned acquisition with Sweden.
This approach has the advantage of creating synergies both in the field of aircraft manufacturing and of program development.
However, this decision will results in a delay of nearly two years in aircraft deliveries, to allow Switzerland to purchase its own aircraft at the same time as those of Sweden.
Whatever option is chosen, the spending limit will not exceed CHF 3.126 billion earmarked for the full acquisition of the 22 Gripen.
Because of the delayed delivery of the aircraft, the Federal Council proposed to Parliament to increase the military budget to CHF 4.7 billion from 2015.
It is planned to create a fund to finance the TTE acquisition. This “TTE fund” will be financed by an annual contribution of CHF 300 million paid from the defence budget.
The Federal Council has decided that the Armaments Plan relative to the TTE program must be presented in October 2012.
