Before Christmas, Switzerland’s parliament approved the purchase of a new fleet of fighter jets costing CHF 6 billion, according to RTS.
![Swiss parliament approves new 6 billion franc fighter jet purchase](https://i1.wp.com/lenews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Swiss-Air-Force-F-18_©-Andrew-David-Periam-_-Dreamstime.com_.jpg?fit=711%2C400&ssl=1)
The plan, which aims to defend Swiss airspace beyond 2030, has now been approved by both Switzerland’s upper and lower houses.
Any contract to supply the aircraft will require a foreign supplier to invest in related industries in Switzerland. Some have described this arrangement as a convoluted and questionable form of state aid to particular industries.
The four foreign suppliers being considered are Airbus, Boeing, Dassault and Lockheed-Martin.
Many are against the decision and a referendum is likely in 2020. In 2014, voters rejected a plan to buy Gripen jets from Saab for CHF 3 billion.
More on this:
RTS article (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
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