Switzerland cannot rely on fixed prices for the purchase of the new combat aircraft, said the Federal Financial Control (CDF) on Friday. Armasuisse is called upon to complete its risk inventory with the financial aspects.
The CDF audited the entire Air2030 program. This is made up of four projects: the acquisition of a new combat aircraft to replace the F/A-18 and the F-5, the acquisition of a long-range ground-to-air defense system, the replacement of the air operations control system and the maintenance and replacement of radar installations.
The announcement of the purchase of the F-35A from Lockheed Martin caused a stir at the political and media levels. Certain points raised in these discussions were taken up by the Federal Finance Control (CDF) in order to assess their relevance in terms of risks.
no insurance
The latter considers that there is no legal assurance of a fixed price, in the sense of a lump sum according to Swiss case law, for the acquisition of the F-35As. The notion of fixed price mentioned in the “Letter of Offer and Acceptance” (LOA) is not clearly defined.
Lifetime maintenance costs also carry uncertainty, says Finance Control. According to armasuisse, operating costs will be fixed until 2040.
fake picture
Armasuisse rejects the criticisms and recommendations of Federal Financial Control. According to her, the presentation of the CDF gives a false image of the risks of the project. She suggests that there would be doubts as to the contractual agreements on the fixed price or that the operating costs would have been calculated on a random basis.
