The Swiss Confederation finally rejects the Gripen

[B52STRATO]

At 55.3% the public opinion has rejected the Saab Gripen during one final vote... forcing to delay the F-5s withdrawal for a few years more, with "no possible alternatives at near-term" according to Ueli Maurer, head of  Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports.

 

 

 

 

[+ST0RM]

What a friggin mess. Seems like the Swiss got a case of the F-35-itus and will stick with the F-5/F-18 combo for quite some time. But I guess being a neutral country, you dont really have to sweat too many threats. I wish them luck.

[Dysko]

But I guess being a neutral country, you dont really have to sweat too many threats. I wish them luck.

 

Just few months ago, an Ethiopian Airlines 767 flying from Addis Abeba to Rome was hijacked by its copilot, who wanted to land in Geneva to demand asylum. The problem is: the Swiss Air Force is active only during office hours, and since the end of the Cold War they don't have QRA anymore. Italian Typhoons were escorting the 767 since its arrival over the Mediterranean, but it was very early in the morning, and instead of handing it over to the Swiss Air Force they had to hand it over to French Mirages, which circled with the 767 over Geneva until it declared fuel emergency.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/02/18/ethiopian-air-def-response/

 

Back on topic: I really hoped Switzerland didn't reject the Gripen. It was my only chance to see it near where I live.

[+MigBuster]

Great - i'll deal with the Airliner in the morning.........goodnight

[macelena]

Why would they need it? If they can afford to keep a 24/7/365 QRA , why bother at all?

[Nesher]

yeah, read about it in the newspaper.. they don't want the 11 billion $$ to buy and maintain the aircraft..

the story about the hijacked airliner, cracked me up! ohh no, don't wake up the pilots in the morning haha!

[+JonathanRL]

While this is just a very active rumour, it seems like the No was more to punish the Government for policies about immigration and free movement that are very disliked in the french speaking parts then about the aircraft itself. The way I see it, we still win. We still got a lot of Swiss Chocolate. So if you will excuse me, I have to indulge myself from my private stocks.

Edited May 20, 2014 by JonathanRL

[B52STRATO]

Another rumour was about the possible acquisition of PC-21s by the Flygvapnet, which now smells pretty bad.

[+JonathanRL]

That one has always smelled. The Flygvapnet has sent its pilots straight into Jets since the late 60s. No reason to start with props now.

[+Stratos]

That one has always smelled. The Flygvapnet has sent its pilots straight into Jets since the late 60s. No reason to start with props now.

 

Maybe money? a turboprop is far cheaper to operate and mantain.

[+JediMaster]

Many said the same thing about JPATS. Seems to be one of the few programs to NOT be embroiled in a million scandals in the last 20 years.