Air Force chief Merz counters criticism of the procurement

Almost three years ago, Switzerland sealed the purchase of 36 fighter jets from the American armaments company Lockheed Martin. Switzerland will pay six billion francs for modern planes, and the first plane in Switzerland is scheduled to start in 2030. This has been contractually agreed.

But the criticism of the procurement does not tear off. On the contrary: since Donald Trump took over the scepter in the USA, doubts have increased. First of all, skepticism grew whether the agreed financial framework can be observed.

Has it still rely on the United States as an ally?

Now, above all, the concerns of the erratic American foreign policy apply: « We no longer know whether we can rely on the United States, » FDP President Thierry Burkart recently told the Tages-Anzeiger. He advocates strengthening the European armaments industry for «Europe First».

SP-CO President Cédric Wermuth went even further in this regard: « Trump is a right-wing extremist insane with whom we should not do any gun shops. » He called for a break-off of armaments business with the USA in the Tages-Anzeiger. In addition to the F-35 fighter jets, the Patriot, F-35 fight jets are also at the game.

The air force boss answers with anger in his stomach

Air Force chief Peter Merz cannot leave that. With a peppered post on Facebook, he mixes up the discussion: « It is almost unbearable how, due to the geopolitical developments, all of the experts are once again negligent with technical claims without really having any idea, and some demand even to get out of the procurement without really understanding what that really means. »

The fact that certain circles tried to shoot the F-35 on the second attempt was « obviously and quite cheap, » writes Merz. And demands from politics to keep a cool head.

Merz draws the overall picture as follows: Since Switzerland cannot produce its own fighter planes, it is forced to “buy in a friendly state”. On the market there is only « exactly one western fighter plane that all others put in the shade from a distance and in every respect », that is the F-35. Europe was in the development of fighter jets for 20 to 30 years.

Air Force Commandant Merz is therefore convinced that Switzerland's most difficult is to procure the F-35. « Because it is the only aircraft type that will be technologically relevant today and in the near future. » All other fighter planes are not only clearly inferior, but also more expensive in procurement and operation.

Undisputed technological dependence on the USA

Does that calm the minds in politics?

In view of American power policy, the purchase of US combat jets does not only raise moral questions. In the room, there are above all security policy considerations if Switzerland depends on American technology and software: to what extent can Swiss military operate operate the two systems regardless of the United States?

Here, too, Merz has a clear answer ready: « All western fighter planes use American technologies with the matching skills. » Europe and Switzerland are dependent on the United States, regardless of which western fighter jet a country decides.

As a result, Merz also considers the SP claim to “total nonsens” after a exit from the purchase contract. Since the current fighter jets F/A -18 will soon be taken out of operation, Switzerland could no longer secure its airspace independently – «and of all places in Europe for decades».

The exit would also be negligent financially. Merz points out that the procurement has long been running and that Switzerland soon paid CHF 1 billion. « With an exit, President Trump or the USA would not be punished, but ourselves. »

The lunch ends in a warning

SUK course receives Merz from the defense department on Monday. On a Series of questions From parliament, it calms down the minds, it is assumed that the United States will comply with the contracts. The VBS advises against the exit from the procurements. There is no conventional penalty in the event of a termination. However, the federal government had already paid CHF 700 million. The fighter jets are central to security. « A termination of the contract would mean that Switzerland weakens its ability to defend considerably and that its airspace can no longer effectively protect its airspace from the 2030 years »

Air Force chief Peter Merz, who terminated his job at the end of September, does not want to let the stand. He warns of the progressive war in Europe and Switzerland's inability to defend himself. The soldiers lack correct equipment that the spare parts warehouse and ammunition depots are not prepared. « We are missing CHF 50 billion to make the Swiss army defensive again. » Instead of finally drawing the « right consequences », Switzerland discusses « technical details » of a fighter plane that has already been bought.