Swiss Air2030 drama builds as US packages tip budget scales
Two proposed US government packages exceed a CFH6 billion ($6.5 billion) budget limit for Switzerland’s Air2030 fighter acquisition.
The US State Department has cleared the way for Lockheed Martin F-35A and Boeing F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet aircraft to be bought by Bern, in the event that one or other is selected as a successor to replace legacy Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II and Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fleets.
An estimated cost of $7.5 billion is, however, attached to FMS approval for 40 Super Hornets (36 F/A-18E and four F/A-18F platforms) and ‘related equipment’ such as engines, weapons and sensors, while a
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC]()
USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC
The Grey Wolf has entered operational service nearly three years later than originally planned, while new sustainment contracts indicate that some UH-1Ns could remain supported until 2031.
-
![Extending mission readiness: where XR adds real value in pilot, crew and maintenance training]()
Extending mission readiness: where XR adds real value in pilot, crew and maintenance training
Extended reality (XR) is becoming increasingly relevant in military aviation training, adding a flexible layer to an integrated ecosystem spanning the pilot, crew, and maintenance domains.
-
![US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms]()
US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms
As the US continues to invest heavily in counter-drone systems, demand for low-cost, mobile and autonomous technologies is on the rise, with Edda designed to align with these emerging requirements.
-
![August crewed air review: KC-390 momentum builds as demand in the tanker market grows]()
August crewed air review: KC-390 momentum builds as demand in the tanker market grows
The KC-390 is building a growing international operator base, but competition in the transport and tanker market is increasingly likely to depend on interoperability, commonality and the strength of supporting ecosystems. Meanwhile, Boeing’s KC-46 and Airbus’s A330 also gained ground in August.
