Go-slow tactics of the army opponents have failed

The Federal Council now wants to sign the contract for the new combat aircraft. This is a strong signal to the outside world: Switzerland is ready to make its contribution to the security of Europe.

An Italian F-35 over Lithuania. The fifth generation jets make a decisive contribution to the fact that the Russian Air Force cannot develop its full power.

Karolio Kavolelio Photographija / Imago

A peaceful early summer refreshes Europe with a confident, almost carefree mood. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine seems surreal and far away were it not for the daily news of the ferocity of the fighting. The Europeans owe their distance from this reality to the Ukrainian will to defend themselves on the one hand and to the technological superiority of the West on the other.

In particular, NATO’s F-35 jets make a decisive contribution to the fact that the Russian Air Force cannot develop its full power. The West and Ukraine are always one, if not two, steps ahead of the Kremlin’s generals. The fifth-generation US fighter jets now patrolling the Russian border are sucking up all sorts of data about the enemy and putting it together into a comprehensive picture of the situation.

The procurement of exactly this platform as a new combat aircraft for the Swiss Air Force wants to prevent a committee around the group for a Switzerland without an army and the Greens with a popular initiative. The Federal Council party SP is still in tow of the army opponents. But the collection of signatures is sluggish.

Viola Amherd takes matters into her own hands – finally

The referendum would have to have been submitted long ago to be considered a legitimate veto against the F-35. The Federal Council decided to procure 36 jets last year before the summer break on the basis of a careful evaluation. In the summer session, business goes to Parliament. A resounding yes from the security-politically sensible majority is to be expected.

Then the Federal Council wants to sign the contract with the USA – by March 31, 2023 at the latest. On Wednesday, the state government decided not to wait any longer until the committee has tried to submit the signatures to the Federal Chancellery. The war in Ukraine has further increased the urgency of fighter jet procurement. In addition, the F-35 is developing into a sales hit internationally. A delay jeopardized the already tight schedule.

Federal Councilor Viola Amherd, head of the Defense Department (DDPS), has finally taken matters into her own hands. The security policy commissions of the National Council and the Council of States had to give a lot of help. If necessary, Parliament would have committed to the speedy signature. Now, on Wednesday, the Federal Council spoke out in favor of proceeding according to the ordinary procedure.

Actual proof of security policy solidarity

This is good news for Switzerland’s security, but it is also the right thing to do domestically. In September 2020, the population approved the credit line of six billion francs for a new combat aircraft. A popular initiative is also not an armaments referendum. No such instrument is deliberately provided for in the Federal Constitution. The national defense as a core task of the federal government should not be exposed to daily political storms.

The fighter jet opponents have wasted their veto opportunity by going through a constitutional initiative. The tactic of delaying procurement and thus disrupting the army’s planning has not worked. On the contrary: the Federal Council has once again spoken out in favor of the F-35. The new fighter jet from the USA can hardly be stopped.

However, this does not speak against critical monitoring of procurement by Parliament’s Control Committee and the Federal Audit Office. After all, the F-35 will be the backbone of the Swiss army of the future. The US platform represents a technological leap for the overall military system. It is therefore right to take a close look and, if necessary, to request corrections.

But now it was about sending a security policy signal – also to the outside world. Switzerland continues to share responsibility for protecting Europe’s free societies. One of the richest countries wants to contribute to the prevention of war in solidarity. The acquisition of the F-35 is proof of fact.

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