Swiss F-5Es
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The F-5E/F Tiger II was a follow-on upgrade to the wildly successful F-5 Freedom Fighter, a low-budget aircraft designed to capture the lower tier of the non-Soviet global fighter market in the 1960s and 1970s. A number of countries still operate F-5s, but the airframes are very old. The Swiss bought 72 F-5E/F fighters in 1976, and another 38 in 1981, for a total of 110 (98 single-seat F5E, 12 two-seat F-5F). Some have been leased to Austria while they await their Eurofighters, while others have been retired; 54-85 Tiger II fighters are variously reported to remain in service with the Swiss Luftwaffe.

While F-5 owners like Brazil, Chile, Thailand, et . al. have opted for comprehensive refurbishment and upgrades, Switzerland is looking to replace 3 of its 5 Tiger II squadrons with new aircraft. They will partner with the 3 squadrons of upgraded F/A-18C/D Hornets that make up the rest of its fighter fleet. An initial evaluation RFP has been issued to 4 contenders… but one has decided not to enter the competition.

The Competition, and the Competitors

Swiss F/A-18Cs
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As the Schweizer Luftwaffe explains in its Jan 17/07 release, without new aircraft the ability to maintain full sovereignty air patrols would decline to just 2 weeks – though 24-hour patrols might be maintained for more than 14 days in a year by shortening the 24 hour coverage periods to a few days at a time, and staggering the periods:

“Sans le remplacement des F-5 Tiger, la capacité de maintenir la sauvegarde de la souveraineté sur l’espace aérien, d’assurer le service de police aérienne et de la défense aérienne serait massivement réduite. Avec seulement 33 F/A-18, une présence permanente (24 heures sur 24) de 4 appareils en vol ne pourrait être assurée que pendant deux semaines environ.”

Even so, whoever wins can expect to face political difficulties after their victory is announced. Switzerland’s purchase of 34 F/A-18 C/Ds, for instance, required a 1993 referendum organized by Switzerland’s socialist and Green parties. The deal passed, but a current referendum aims to ban “peace-time flights of combat-jets in tourist areas,” a move that would make it almost impossible for the Schweizer Luftwaffe to train its pilots. With an organized movement that seemingly opposes any military in Switzerland, a national referendum can be expected for any new fighter purchase.

At present, the competitors are BAE/Saab (JAS-39 Gripen), Boeing (F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet), Dassault (Rafale), and EADS (Eurofighter Typhoon). With an expected budget of just CHF 2.2 billion (currently about $2 billion/ EUR $1.36 billion), however, including the purchase of additional Pilatus PC-21 advanced trainers, the high-end participants in the competition could find themselves very disadvantaged given Switzerland’s need for numbers.

Rafale B
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EADS’ Eurofighter, for instance, would yield about 10-12 aircraft within those constraints, based on Austria’s EUR 2 billion buy of just 18, reduced to EUR 1.63 billion for 15. Switzerland is just under 360 km/ 215 miles wide at its widest point, and its firm neutrality keeps its air force from deploying elsewhere. When these factors are added up, the twin-engine Eurofighter will have a difficult task avoiding the perception of over-budget overkill.

Dassault’s Rafale offers a comparable set of capabilities to the Eurofighter, at a lower price point. It is generally considered to be an inferior air superiority fighter, but is a far better multi-role aircraft with very good ground attack capabilities. Its spotty integration with several American weapons used by the Schweizer Luftwaffe could become an issue. On the flip side, consistent losses in export competitions (a possible sale to Libya remains its only success) will keep up the pressure on France to offer a very attractive deal. Can Dassault keep its price to about EUR 50 million flyaway per plane (i.e. 20-24 aircraft within the budget), and offer weapon integration relief?

Hornet vs. Super Hornet
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Boeing’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet offers the advantage of some commonalities with Switzerland’s existing F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet, but in truth, commonality between the aircraft is well under 50%. It’s also an expensive aircraft, with likely flyaway costs of $80-90 million. Australia burned through USD$ 1.3 billion just for 24 basic F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, with radars and other equipment still to be purchased that will likely raise the price to over $2 billion. It is difficult to imagine a scenario in which the Swiss budget yields much more than 15-18 aircraft, though continued decline in the US dollar could help some.

As is often the case in Europe, opposition to sales from American firms can be expected to be a factor for the Super Hornet. Concerns have also been expressed concerning the ability to fit these aircraft into the Swiss aircraft shelters, many of which are carved into mountainsides; prior to the announcement, there had been rumors that the Super Hornet would be excluded from the competition. The Super Hornet is a legitimate competitor, but one flying into strong headwinds.

In the end, however, the question became moot. Boeing looked at the RFP requirements, and decided not to bid.

Gripen weapon options
c. Gripen International
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The Saab/ BAE team of Gripen International offers the lowest price point of any of these aircraft, with lease-to-buy options underway in Hungary & The Czech Republic and a strong record of industrial offset deals. The Gripen is a solid multi-role performer that is pretty close to the current epitome of what a lightweight fighter should be; its corresponding range handicap, which has often been a limiting factor in fighter competitions against this cohort, is a complete non-issue in this competition.

An offer of 30-34 JAS-39 C/D aircraft that could mirror Switzerland’s 3 squadrons with 33 Hornets may be within the realm of financial possibility. They would also use an RB12 engine that is closely derived from the F404s powering Switzerland’s Hornets, and are delivered with the LITENING reconnaissance and targeting pods Switzerland is buying as upgrades for its Hornet fleet already integrated. Given the DDPS’ implicit need for numbers, the industrial offsets, and the potential political bonus of a sale from another neutral country, the Gripen appears to be very well positioned in this fight. The firm’s Jan 17/08 release was already stressing some of these factors.

Contracts & Key Events

Pilatus PC-21
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April 30/08: A Boeing release announces that they won’t be bidding:

“After a thorough review of Switzerland’s requirements for partial replacement of its Tiger fighter aircraft, Boeing [NYSE: BA] has decided not to enter the competition due to the disparity between the requirements for an F-5 replacement aircraft and the next-generation capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet. Boeing values its long-standing partnership with Switzerland and looks forward to continuing its support and modernization of the F-18C/D as the Swiss Air Force moves into the future.”

Jan 7/08: The competing firms are invited to submit their first offers by the middle of 2008, with in-flight evaluations to take place in Switzerland later in 2008. The DDPS will then propose a winner and budget to the federal Council, and Parliament will be asked to authorize acquisition of the new fighters as part of Switzerland’s 2010 budget.

The costs of acquiring the Tiger replacement aircraft, as well as additional Swiss Pilatus PC-21 advanced turpoprop training aircraft to add to the 6 already ordered, is estimated at approximately 2.2 billion francs (currently about $2 billion/ EUR $1.36 billion). DDSP release [French] | Gripen International release, where the Swedish competitor was quick to emphasize its own advantages:

”[Gripen International Sales and Marketing Director for Switzerland] Manne Koerfer also emphasized that Gripen is the independent choice, resulting in less dependencies, and that the offer to Switzerland will also include industrial co-operation characterized by partnerships of equals.”

Additional Readings

• Air Force Technology – PC-21 Turboprop Trainer, Switzerland

• Air Force Technology – Eurofighter Typhoon Multi-Role Combat Fighter, Europe

• DID FOCUS Article – The JAS-39 Gripen: Sweden’s 4+ Generation Wild Card

• Air Force Technology – Gripen Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, Sweden

• Air Force Technology – Rafale Multi-Role Combat Fighter, France

• Naval Technology – F/A-18E/F Super Hornet – Maritime Strike Attack Aircraft, USA

• DID Spotlight – The USA’s 2005-2009 Multi-Year Hornet Procurement Contract. Covers the Super Hornet variants and their contracts.