The Swiss government infuriated campaigners on Wednesday saying there could be no referendum on replacing Switzerland’s aging warplanes fleet with F-35A fighter jets before the deal is signed.
The activists of the ‘Stop F-35’ initiative launched by the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland, one anti-military group, and the Green Party, which are opposing the deal, have called for the vote to be held on March 12, the same month as the government’s deadline to close its 36-jet deal with US defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
Switzerland’s Federal Council noted that the proposed timetable for the referendum is not feasible.
The government said there would not be enough time to hold a public vote before Lockheed Martin’s offer for 36 F35-As expires despite that the left-leaning “Stop-F-35” alliance delivered the petition containing more than 100,000 signatures, which, under Switzerland’s direct democracy system, allows any matter to go to a vote.
The planned $6.2 billion purchase of US F-35A fighter jets has embroiled Switzerland in domestic controversy with Switzerland’s defense department warning that a delay would have grave consequences for national security.
Part of the concern is that, amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Switzerland could be pushed to the back of the line by other countries – including Germany, Finland, and Canada – that are queuing up to buy F-35s, and perhaps will have to pay a higher price if it’s forced to start over on a new contract with Lockheed
The “Stop F-35” coalition argues that F-35s and not a good fit for the defense-focused Swiss Air Force, which is racing to upgrade its air defenses by 2030, and are too expensive.
The coalition also believes that the deal would entangle the national security of Switzerland, which has military neutrality enshrined in its constitution, too closely with Washington.
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