Switzerland is in the market for about 20 new fighters to progressively replace its remaining F-5 fleet. In a preliminary evaluation, the defense ministry pre-
selected four types: the Boeing F/A-18 E/F, France’s Dassault Rafale, the four-nation Eurofighter Typhoon and the Swedish JAS Gripen. While all the aircraft serve as multi-role fighters and offer both air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, the Swiss primarily require air-to-air fire power.
Switzerland invited the four manufacturers to submit offers by mid-2008, but Boeing dropped out of the competition in March, after concluding that its F/A-18 E model is almost certainly too expensive and overly capable for the limited Swiss requirements. The Swiss air force already has the earlier F/A-18 C and D jets in its inventory and is working with the manufacturer on their midlife upgrade, but the F/A-18 E is a heavier and more sophisticated aircraft than the C version.
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