A blank check of up to 24 billion Swiss francs,

The great chamber is entered on the Monday, with 149 to 35, with 6 abstentions on the planning decision for the new fighter jets. With this, the Federal Council is commissioned to buy for a maximum of 6 billion Swiss francs of new combat aircraft. The Council of States has approved the template already added. This is unlike ordinary armor shops - the optional Referendum.

The Greens rejected the fighter-jet purchase in principle. You are requested not to enter. Group chief Balthasar Glättli (ZH) spoke of a "blank check of up to 24 billion Swiss francs". Would the procurement costs, the costs for operation, maintenance and retrofitting that.

Glättli spoke out against wars for Oil, and for the solution to the climate crisis. Switzerland was surrounded by friends, and am not expected to be attacked with Jets. In cyber space a lot larger risks to threatened. Glättli also criticized that it does not Express the people to the type of aircraft. This decision will be taken later by the Federal Council.

No security without fighter jets

the security of Switzerland, said Commission spokesman Thomas Hurter (SVP/SH). The renewal of the air force should be completed by 2030. Then today's in-service F/A-18 reach the end of their useful life.

So the army could protect the people in Switzerland in the future against attacks from the air, it need new combat aircraft and a new ground-based air defense, said defense Minister Viola Amherd. Without these funds, they could not execute their constitutional mandate.

alternate approach

After the national Council was to have occurred on the template, tried it on the Left with a rejection motion: The Federal Council should provide an alternative approach, which is based on the current F/A-18 and a light combat aircraft for the air police service. The costs should amount to a maximum of 4 billion Swiss francs, including new surface-to-air missiles and radar surveillance.

There is a need not a luxury fighter jet, there are cheaper solutions, said Priska Seiler count (SP/ZH). Most of the tasks of the air police service could be performed by light combat aircraft and the few "Hot Missions" of the F/A-18. These should be protected and longer than planned in the application keep.

"Non-competitive"

For the majority this was not an Option. When the Left proposed a light fighter jet is a training aircraft of the Italian manufacturer Leonardo. This fly is not high and not fast enough said Hurter. The planes were not armed sufficiently.

FDP spokesman Marcel Dobler (SG) warned of a "non-competitive" air force. Amherd said that light combat aircraft would not be good for the air police service. Such a purchase would be "a waste". The rejection of the request failed with 122 to 68 votes in favour and 2 abstentions.

The same concept is in the context of the detailed advice again for discussion. It is also likely to be out of the game. In the centre of the discussion, the so-called Offset transactions. As for armor shops usual, to be obliged to the foreign fighter-the supplier, in return for compensation transactions in Switzerland are complete.

Controversial of the share is. In General, be compensated at armor shops, 100 percent of the contract volume. In the case of the fighter jets, the Federal Council has proposed only 60 percent. He argued that the procurement is more expensive with the de facto industry subsidies. In addition, he considers it doubtful that the Swiss economy could absorb such a large contract volume at all.

difference to the Council of States

The Council of States decided, nevertheless, a compensation of 100 per cent. The majority is convinced that the economy will only stand so closed behind the procurement. The small chamber has also posted a list of the possible sectors in the planning decision, and the exact proportions of which must relate to the parts of the country.

With the last part of the security policy Commission of the national Council (SiK) agree. The industry list wants to make it clear, however, since only 60 percent of the contract volume to be compensated with a 20 percent to account for jobs directly related to the fighter jets, 40 percent to business in the defence and security industry. Other industries would not come to the train.

the Commission wants to minimize the attack surface in the popular vote. A full compensation would increase the cost of the procurement unnecessarily and and security policy are not relevant or even dubious transactions, opening the door to justified your request.

agreement in the middle

requests for a higher share of Offset transactions is not available. FDP spokesman Dobler noted, however, that his group would agree to a compromise with the Council of States. The left-Green on the other side would like to have a smaller share of Compensation. The applications range from 50 percent up to a complete waiver.

Not part of the planning decision to be procured type of aircraft is. In addition, the Federal Council decides at a later time. In the race, the Stealth aircraft F-35 from Lockheed Martin, the F/A-18 Super Hornet from Boeing, the Rafale by the French manufacturer Dassault and Airbus aircraft, Eurofighter.

The evaluation report should be available in the second half of the year 2020. A Referendum is expected to take place on 27. September 2020 instead. By the beginning of 2021, the Federal Council will decide which fighter aircraft should be purchased. The replacement of the F/A-18 is to go from 2025 to 2030 on the stage. (aru/sda)

Created: 09.12.2019, 18:23 PM