Boeing drops out of fighter contract race
United States aircraft manufacturer Boeing has decided not to submit a bid for the replacement of the Swiss air force's ageing F-5 Tiger fighter jets.
The US firm was one of four companies asked by Swiss procurement agency armasuisse to tender for the contract.
Boeing said the decision not to bid was based on a "thorough review of Switzerland's requirements for partial replacement of its Tiger fighter aircraft."
The American firm was expected to put the Super Hornet jet forward, its next-generation version of the F/A-18 Hornet already operated by the Swiss.
Boeing said the air force's requirements meant that its aircraft was too advanced for the project. It added that its decision would not affect earlier contracts with the Swiss authorities for the upgrade of the Hornet fleet.
Three companies are still in the running for the contract: Sweden's Saab with its Gripen fighter, France's Dassault with the Rafale and the EADS consortium with the Typhoon. Their bids should be submitted by the middle of the year.
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