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Airbus and Lockheed-Martin go on the communications offensive; Dassault and Boeing remain cautious.
So far, the four manufacturers wanting to sell planes to Switzerland for six billion Swiss francs have been surprisingly cautious. According to information from SRF, the manufacturers had reached an agreement with Armasuisse, the Federal Armaments Office, not to go public until the latest offers were submitted. But after the four manufacturers presented their offers in person in Bern yesterday, Airbus and Lockheed-Martin held a press conference today.
Final assembly in Switzerland
Four ambassadors acted at the German ambassador’s residence in Bern as a sort of sales manager for Airbus and its Eurofighter aircraft. The ambassadors of Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain presented the Eurofighter as the maximum European joint venture, while the German ambassador Michael Flügger offered Switzerland the complete final assembly of the plane.
In this way, Airbus could also comply with the compensation transactions required by Switzerland. Therefore, there would be direct industrial benefits; the six billion would not simply be spent abroad. “With the final assembly you have the direct creation of jobs”, says Flügger.
Manufacturers of fighter jets had to submit a bid for 36 and one for 40 aircraft. According to the Eurofighter team, 40 aircraft would not exceed the cost limit of six billion francs. “We are pleased to be able to offer the maximum number of aircraft within the cost limit,” said Franz Posch, Director of Airbus Switzerland.
The F-35 is also “European”
American manufacturer Lockheed Martin also offers final assembly in Switzerland. At a press conference, Lockheed executives specified that Switzerland could only assemble four aircraft. More does not make economic sense. In the final assembly of these aircraft, the main objective is that the Swiss technicians know well the type of aircraft for subsequent maintenance work. The American manufacturer tried to present its F-35 stealth aviator as a not purely American model.
A quarter of the parts for the F-35 would be produced in Europe. There should also be interesting deals for the Swiss industry. Several hundred cabin tops will be manufactured in Switzerland.
The other manufacturers are silent
French manufacturer Dassault deliberately did not hold a press conference for its Rafale fighter jet. A Dassault spokeswoman said they respect Switzerland’s wish that the evaluation of fighter jets be an “internal process.”
American manufacturer Boeing, which bid for the F / A-18 Super Hornet, is also notably cautious in communication. The manufacturer did not provide any information on the price offered, only saying that it was a “profitable” aircraft.
Write down the decision before summer break
Armasuisse, the Federal Armaments Office, declined to comment on the fact that individual manufacturers are now going public and disclosing details. Each manufacturer is free to decide, said Peter Winter, head of the Air 2030 program at Armasuisse. All four offers will be reviewed in the spring. The Federal Council should then make the type decision before the summer vacation.
