U.S. Navy representatives and the Swiss defense procurement agency, known as Armasuisse, discussed the deal for the procurement of 22 Retired Swiss F-5E/F Tiger Fighter Jets For Around $40 Million.
U.S. lawmakers are close to finalizing the Pentagon’s budget for 2020. The $738-billion National Defense Authorization Act should allow the U.S. Navy to acquire 22 used F-5E/F Tiger fighters from Switzerland for around $40 million.
The Swiss F-5 Tiger jets are around 35 years old and cost around half a million Swiss francs a year to remain idle.
A few years ago the US Navy had purchased 44 Tiger jets and repurposed them to play the role of enemy planes during training exercises.
Switzerland had purchased a total of 100 Tigers from the US of which 53 remain. Of these only 26 are operational.
Switzerland is currently looking to procure new fighter jets and has a budget of CHF6 billion.
The air force is currently evaluating four offers from French companies Airbus and Dassault, as well as Boeing and Lockheed Martin from the United States.
The Swedish company Saab was forced to withdraw from the competition.
The Swiss government argues the country’s aging fleet of F-5 Tigers and F/A-18s has to be replaced by 2030 at the latest to protect the country’s airspace and its security.
