Swiss fighter jet document reveals secret French tax offer
France offered Switzerland a financial sweetener, worth an estimated CHF3.5 billion, to buy its Rafale fighter jets rather than US F-35A aircraft, according to a secret document seen by Swiss public broadcaster SRF.
This content was published on
3 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Português
pt
Documento do avião de caça suíço revela oferta fiscal francesa secreta
The document sheds light on background negotiations as Switzerland seeks to replace its ageing fleet of fighter jets. It also adds further fuel to an ongoing argument about whether taxpayers are getting the best deal for their money.
SRF has now uncovered a secret documentExternal link that shows the bartering was still in full flow last summer, with France determined to persuade Switzerland to change its mind and buy its Rafale jets.
The document was signed by French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on June 28, 2021. Several unnamed sources told SRF that Swiss government ministers not only saw the letter but had actively sought the counter offer from France.
In the letter, Le Maire offered to recalibrate a Swiss-French deal on taxing cross-border workers in Switzerland’s favour – to the tune of an estimated CHF3.5 billion. He also gave assurances that France would support Switzerland as the Alpine state navigates its way through a difficult patch in its relations with the European Union. But this failed to change Switzerland’s mind.
SRF reports that the negotiations with France have also generated some animosity between the Swiss defence ministry and the foreign and finance ministries – all of which declined to comment, along with the French embassy in Bern and a spokesperson for the cabinet.
Fear of rising costs
In the meantime, the Federal Audit Office has expressed doubts about the final cost of buying the F-35As. Government auditors released a report on Friday, raising fears that the final bill could rise above the stated CHF6 billion price tag.
But the Federal Armaments Office (Armasuisse), which is in charge of the procurement, was quick to dispel the doubts of auditors.
Armasuisse insists that the cost is controlled by a binding agreement with the US government, which will buy the aircraft from Lockheed Martin at a fixed price and sell the fleet to Switzerland for the same amount.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Initiative against F-35A fighter jets gathers enough support
This content was published on
Opponents of Switzerland’s purchase of US F-35A fighter jets say they have enough signatures to force a vote against this type of aircraft.
This content was published on
Both chambers of parliament have come out in favour of increasing military spending from CHF5.6 billion to CHF7 billion by 2030.
Swiss media frets about fighter jet choice impact on EU ties
This content was published on
A day after the government’s decision to opt for US-made fighter jets, some papers say the choice is a geopolitical mistake and a setback for Swiss-EU relations.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.