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Switzerland have chosen the Gripen !

VaporZ

VaporZ

Charter Member
Its official !

Switzerland contest for 22 combat aircraft to replace its F-5E/F Tiger II curent fleet involving
Rafale, Typhoon and Gripen have been won by Saab with its JAS-39C/D Gripen offer.

Its here ( in french )
http://www.lesechos.fr/entreprises-...-la-suisse-aurait-choisi-le-gripen-256339.php

3 billion swiss francs for 22 Gripen.
compared to around
4 billion swiss francs for 22 Rafale or 22 Typhoon.

Swiss politicians have chosen the lower bid ! and the 3rd position on the technical contest won by the Rafale.
:mixedsmi:
VaporZ
 
As the old military saying goes, "Remember, the weapon you are using was built by the lowest bidder..."
 
Yeah but......as the Swiss have been a neutral nation for almost 200 years they are never likely to fire a round/missile in anger. They could have bought 200 of their own Pilatus aircraft and had lots of jobs for Swiss people instead. 200 PC-21's not firing weapons are just as effective as 22 Gripens not firing them.
 
The decision makes sense to me from all I've read although I secretly had hopes for the Rafale. Since these will be replacing F-5E's and Switzerland is a nuetral nation (not going around fighting other people's wars or starting them), the Gripen is a logical choice. Now, can the afford it?
:ernae:
 
awj112 said:
As the old military saying goes, "Remember, the weapon you are using was built by the lowest bidder..."
Click to expand...
True for components and parts but not always for the entire weapon system.
However in this case, yes, the Gripen was the least expensive option.
:ernae:
 
Tako_Kichi said:
Yeah but......as the Swiss have been a neutral nation for almost 200 years they are never likely to fire a round/missile in anger. They could have bought 200 of their own Pilatus aircraft and had lots of jobs for Swiss people instead. 200 PC-21's not firing weapons are just as effective as 22 Gripens not firing them.
Click to expand...

Who told you Switzerland would not firing anything in a Conflict?
There are just a Handful of Countries throwing Stuff from the Sky's, and it's not that effective as many belive.
To win a conflict is not about having the best Systems in your Cockpit, it's basically about the iron will to win.
 
Well, the Swiss did not had a conflict in the past 200 Years, the reason they did not throw anything :icon_lol:
 
An eminently sensible choice, given that SAAB build excellent aeroplanes and are neighbours.
And FWIW: Some 500-600 years ago the Swiss 'Mercenaries' were among the most feared troops throughout Europe.
I doubt the Swiss lack any will to fight if necessary.
:kilroy:
 
wombat666 said:
And FWIW: Some 500-600 years ago the Swiss 'Mercenaries' were among the most feared troops throughout Europe.
I doubt the Swiss lack any will to fight if necessary.
Click to expand...
Oh don't get me wrong I'm not saying the Swiss wouldn't fight if their backs were against the wall but it struck me as odd that all that money is being spent on aircraft that are never likely to be used to their full potential.
 
Tako_Kichi said:
Oh don't get me wrong I'm not saying the Swiss wouldn't fight if their backs were against the wall but it struck me as odd that all that money is being spent on aircraft that are never likely to be used to their full potential.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...I reckon that the aircraft will definitely be used to their full potential,only they probably won't be using real weapons on hostile targets. Their training and tactics will be (and have been) every bit as good as many of the world's superpowers.
 
I think I will just crawl back into my hole now. I am obviously not helping the thread any today. :isadizzy:

Just to make it absolutely clear non of my comments were meant as a slight on the Swiss nation, they were, if anything, 'tongue-in-cheek' replies with a little bit of humour hidden inside them. :icon_lol:
 
:icon_lol: ... No offence taken,Larry. Don't worry...you're not gonna be having Swiss Special Forces banging on your door tonight!!!:icon29::icon29:
 
wombat666 said:
An eminently sensible choice, given that SAAB build excellent aeroplanes and are neighbours.
Click to expand...

900 kilometers may not be much by Aussie standards, but here in Europe that's quite a distance.. ! ;)

And good choice of aircraft! :applause:
 
I for one love the Swiss national policy:

Make chocolate, not war.

If more nations concentrated on making superb chocolate, just think how nice the world could be. Chocolate is the key to world peace.

OBIO
 
Tako_Kichi said:
I think I will just crawl back into my hole now. I am obviously not helping the thread any today. :isadizzy:

Just to make it absolutely clear non of my comments were meant as a slight on the Swiss nation, they were, if anything, 'tongue-in-cheek' replies with a little bit of humour hidden inside them. :icon_lol:
Click to expand...

No worries Larry, I got the Point !
By the way, the Swiss Airforce has every Year their exercises in the northern Sea of Germany, throwing and shooting the real Stuff on targets.
If Switzerland will get the new Birds, no one knows, they will decide it finally in 2 Years.....unbelivable :sleep:
 
OBIO said:
I for one love the Swiss national policy:

Make chocolate, not war.

If more nations concentrated on making superb chocolate, just think how nice the world could be. Chocolate is the key to world peace.

OBIO
Click to expand...

Good for the heart too, in moderation.

This deal kinda makes sense; Gripen is a damn good aircraft, by most nations standards. And the Czechs (who are virtually neighbours) had a similar requirement & made the same decision.
 
Interesting choice and one that makes sense given Switzerland's unique position in Europe and it's size. While not a big seller, five countries fly the Grippen currently or at least have them on order. Switzerland makes the sixth country to choose the Grippen. I did read a while back that SAAB was going out of the fighter plane business at the end of the Grippen run. I wonder how this sale will affect that decision.

One reason the Swiss have been able to remain neutral for so long (Sweden too) is that they have a well equipped and trained military with a huge reserve component. The Swiss actively defended their border during WW II with several allied and axis planes forced down by Swiss fighters.

It seems like just a year or two ago, the Swiss were voting on disbanding their air force. Guess the the vote didn't go through.

Speaking of Grippens, didn't Alphasim at one time have an FS9 version in the works?
 
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