The Local Switzerland

Swiss Air Force to scrap ten faulty fighter planes

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:58:53 +0200

The Swiss Air Force is scrapping ten of its F-5 Tiger fighter planes after cracks were discovered in the bodies of the aircraft, the federal defence department said on Wednesday.

US firm pitches ‘budget’ jets for Swiss air force

Tue, 27 May 2014 12:18:00 +0200

American company Textron Airland is bidding to sell its “budget” Scorpion jets to the Swiss government at one-seventh the cost of Swedish Gripen fighter planes turned down by voters in Switzerland this month.

Voters shoot down Swedish fighter jet deal

Sun, 18 May 2014 20:41:00 +0200

The Swiss allowed a multi-billion-dollar deal to buy fighter jets from Sweden to crash and burn Sunday, when a majority turned out to nix funding for the purchase.

New Swede named to Bern amid Gripen flap

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 23:30:00 +0200

Sweden appointed a new ambassador to Switzerland Wednesday, a day after a media report that the current envoy lobbied Swiss parliamentarians to promote the sale of Swedish fighter jets.

Defence minister under fire for 'sexist' speeches

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 00:54:00 +0200

Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer is under attack for repeatedly making sexist comments in a gag used to promote the planned purchase of Swedish Gripen fighter jets by the state.

Swiss fury over Saab 'meddling' in Gripen vote

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 10:20:00 +0100

Swedish defence contractor Saab has been slammed over claims of attempting to influence a referendum in Switzerland that could determine whether or not the Swiss air force purchases 22 new Jas Gripen fighter jets.

May referendum looms on Gripen plane deal

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 19:13:00 +0100

The Swiss public could vote as early as May on a deal to buy 22 fighter planes from Sweden after opponents on Tuesday submitted over 100,000 signatures seeking a referendum.

Referendum campaign opposes new combat jets

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 00:55:00 +0200

Left-wing groups on Tuesday officially launched a referendum against the Swiss government’s plan to buy 22 Swedish Gripen fighter planes at a cost of 3.13 billion francs ($3.46 billion).

Hurdles linger as Swiss MPs back combat planes

Wed, 11 Sep 2013 15:56:00 +0200

The lower house of the Swiss parliament gave its blessing on Wednesday to a controversial deal to purchase 22 Swedish fighter jets but hurdles remain before the deal can be finalized.

Swiss remain against Gripen fighter jets: poll

Sun, 08 Sep 2013 23:04:00 +0200

A majority of Swiss remain opposed to the government’s planned acquisition of Swedish Saab Gripen fighter jets at a cost of 3.1 billion francs.

Swedish fighter jet order hits new political snag

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:53:00 +0200

Switzerland's purchase of 22 Swedish fighter jets hit yet another snag on Tuesday as the Swiss parliament suspended funding discussions amid reports that EADS was trying to undercut the deal by offering used fighters at half-price.

Swiss army opens doors to asylum seekers

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:41:26 +0100

The Swiss military is making more than 5,000 beds available on a temporary basis to handle an overflow of asylum seekers in Switzerland.