But the fact is, Switzerland does not need a bomber, and does need something to intercept intruders quickly and cheaply.
I’d agree on this one, but the problem is that the swiss don’t seem to think like that.. ground attack was part of evaluation last time.. they want a multirole fighter, regardless the fact that they’ll use it in air policing role and eventually parade only.
For the rest, there’s saying: “learn your history as to avoid making same errors again”
I look at facts that took place and don’t dismiss them on hopes that those who did it will change…
Facts:
– British and Italians buy the F-35 for A2G
– Germans look at the F-35 for A2G
– Spain would love to get the F-35 for A2G (but they are broke)
– all of them keep their Typhoons primarily for A2A
– from the day one, the Typhoon was repeatedly delayed not because the engineers were bad or air forces reluctant to buy, but because the politicians made calculations that made them cut fundings and nitpick for every detail they considered “unneeded”
now, considering that it is the politicians who decide what cash can be spent on this or that weapons system, it seems to me that there’s little chance that the Typhoon, who already had difficulties getting the funding that was needed when it was the top offer in these countries, get the follow up a customer may expect now that all partners are already looking elsewhere… they can declare on paper “yeah, we’ll do…” but who can give you any guaranty for real that the promised stuff will be delivered? Some politicians like to remind that “Promises engage only those who believe them” … I believe facts… and the facts about behavior of the partner nations until now in this program don’t give me many reasons for optimism
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