Switzerland to purchase 36 F35s

(Bern) In something of a surprise, Switzerland blocked a referendum demanded by 2 political parties (the Socialist Party and the Greens) over the Governments plans to purchase thirty six F35 stealth jets. As is the case in Switzerland, if you want to question anything the government proposes you garner 100K signatures which allows that Government proposal to be thrown at the public allowing them to vote on the matter. This we saw take place in 2014, when the purchase of 22 Gripen aircraft was rejected in which to replace Switzerland’s aging F5 fighter aircraft which had been in service since 1978. It seems that the Government knowing it couldn’t allow another rejection in which to update its airforce, simply said no and went ahead with the purchase of the F35 of which the first 4 will be built in the US, with the remainder in Italy, Bern is looking at 2030 for when the aircraft will become operational.