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2020-12-13

F-35 Proposal Aims to Equip Switzerland with 5th Gen Fighter

The U.S. government and Lockheed Martin recently submitted an F-35 proposal to the Swiss government in support of Switzerland’s New Fighter Aircraft (NFA) competition. The proposal offers up to 40 F-35A aircraft, a sustainment solution tailored to Swiss autonomy requirements, and a training programme.

The offering also includes an industrial package providing Swiss industry F-35 work opportunities. If the F-35 is selected as the new fighter for Switzerland, this industrial work would take place in all Swiss regions. The Swiss industry has the opportunity to compete for direct production of components for use on all F-35s produced, sustainment projects focused on supporting the Swiss Air Force and enhancing Swiss autonomy, and cybersecurity projects directly related to the aircraft.

The offer uses the F-35 Global Support Solution for sustainment to ensure Switzerland benefits from the European F-35 economies of scale to realise lower sustainment costs for the Swiss Air Force. It also includes a six-month spares package to ensure the Air Force has the ability to conduct autonomous operations, if needed. Lockheed Martin is also offering an option for the assembly of four aircraft in Switzerland to ensure the Air Force and Swiss industry gain an understanding of how to maintain the F-35 airframe and its advanced capabilities for the life of the programme.

“We are confident that our F-35 offer is the best and most affordable solution for the Swiss NFA competition,” said Greg Ulmer, F-35 Programme vice president and general manager. “We are offering the only 5th generation fighter at the cost of 4th generation aircraft while offering Switzerland an aircraft that will protect Swiss sovereignty for decades to come.”

Advanced Stealth

To date, the F-35 has been selected by 13 nations and operates from 26 bases worldwide, with nine nations operating F-35s on their home soil. There are more than 585 F-35s in service, with more than 1,190 pilots and 9,750 maintainers trained on the aircraft.

The F-35 combines 5th Generation fighter aircraft characteristics — integrated avionics, sensor fusion and superior logistics support — with a comprehensive integrated sensor package. Its advanced stealth allows pilots to penetrate areas without being detected by radars that legacy fighters cannot evade. The aircraft is designed with the entire battlespace in mind. Reliance on any single capability — electronic attack, stealth, etc. — is not sufficient for success and survivability in the future. Missions traditionally performed by specialised aircraft — air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, electronic attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance — can now be executed by a squadron of F-35s.

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