The House of Representatives has agreed to purchase fighter jets from Swedish aerospace company Saab. The controversial purchase still needs the overall nod from the Senate – and the approval of a sceptical public in a possible referendum.
On Wednesday, parliamentarians cleared the mandatory proposals: an armaments programme to shop for the 22 Gripen planes, a bill providing the financial base for the CHF3.1 billion ($3.3 billion) purchase and the discharge of the so-called brake on spending – required for any amount above CHF20 million.
The proposal will now return to the Senate, that is expected to clear the acquisition later this month. The Senate had already approved the deal in spring, but it surely had did not win the bulk required to release the funds for the purchase.
The parliament’s decision brings in the direction of a conclusion five years of heated discussions. Aircraft purchases for the Swiss Air Force has been disputed during the past . Setbacks, scandals and opposition – mainly as a result of costs – have riddled its history.
The purchase of the Gripen aircrafts is not any different. The Swiss persons are set to have the ultimate at the hotly debated issue. No less than two parliamentary committees – one from the left and one from the centre – have announced they’ll petition for a referendum, should the acquisition be cleared by parliament.
At the top of Wednesday’s discussions, the members of the home of Representatives followed the proposal of Defence Minister Ueli Maurer, who for a final time had praised the qualities of the Swedish jet and justified the expense.
A lot of money
“The Gripen is a primary-class airplane of the most recent generation,” Maurer said. “It costs some huge cash, but an investment over 30 years is throughout the army’s budget.”
In the spectators’ gallery, Swedish ambassador Per Thöresson and president of the Council of Europe Jean-Claude Mignon followed the controversy.
The centre-left Social Democrats, the fairway Party and the centre-right Liberal Green Party had opposed the purchase. They demanded Switzerland first clarify the army’s future tasks before discussing the acquisition of latest jets.
“The Social Democrats will reject the proposal because Switzerland doesn’t need any new fighter planes, for the reason that project isn’t seriously planned and as the Gripen [purchase] is a high-risk project,” said Chantal Galladé.
A paper plane
Opponents also criticised that Switzerland was buying only a plane on paper as the Gripen E model only exists as a design. Another concern was that the acquisition was tied to the success of the Swedish economy and Saab’s uncertain future.
Not only pacifist groups and left-wing political parties were giving Maurer a tough time. A parliamentary committee and lobby groups corresponding to air force pilots have criticised the evaluation procedure or the selection of the Gripen over two other competitors, the Eurofighter and the Rafale.
Advocates of the Gripen purchase, nonetheless, are convinced that Switzerland needs fighter planes to interchange antiquated Tiger jets to secure its air space.
“No sovereign state would do without an air force,” said pilot Thomas Hurter from the rightwing Swiss People’s Party.
Maurer, also from the People’s Party, reiterated that the Swiss Air Force was an essential component of the defense force. “You cannot just remove one part, or you’ll come to be with a car with three wheels.”
According to a survey by Isopublic, about two-thirds of Swiss are against the acquisition, the polling institute said last week.
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