Swiss could buy up to 70 new combat jets
Switzerland could eventually be in the market for as many as 70 new fighter jets or as few as 20 under scenarios laid out on Tuesday by a defense ministry task force.
Defense Switzerland is looking to replace its fleet
The most expensive and powerful option would be to buy 55-70 aircraft and ground-based air defense weapons for an estimated 15 billion to 18 billion Swiss francs ($15.3-$18.4 billion), according to the report.
It did not say which aircraft the government should consider.
The least expensive option would be procuring 20 jets and accompanying ground-based air defense systems for 5 billion francs.
Other options called for buying 40 or 30 new aircraft plus surface-to-air defense support.
Switzerland is looking to replace its fleet of Boeing McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C and D Hornets and outdated Northrop F-5 Tigers, all of which are scheduled to be retired in the 2020s. ■
