Switzerland Fighter Competition

Basically, the Swiss have been operating F-5E/Fs in 1976, and they are looking towards replacing them.

In the competition were Boeing (F/A-18E/F), Eurofighter (Typhoon), Dassault (Rafale), and my favorite SAAB (Gripen).

Boeing has now pulled out of the competition, even though they would appear to have a leg up, as the Swiss already operate the F/A-18C/D. The official word was that their withdrawal was based on "Thorough review of Switzerland's requirements for partial replacement of its Tiger fighter aircraft," which I tend to agree with.

The F/A-18 is about two sizes larger than the F-5, and would require modifications to the facilities to accommodate their size.^*

My guess would be that SAAB is at an advantage in this competition:

• Range is not an issue, Switzerland is a small country.
• It is far less expensive than any of the alternatives, being around 1/3 that of the Rafale and Typhoon.
  
• It's short field characteristics are probably the best, being designed, according to Swedish doctrine, to operate from stretches of roads.
• It's designed for austere maintenance by conscripts.

One wonders if the Swiss would be interested in the base C/D model of the Gripen, or if they would want the upgraded variant.

Considering their needs, I would expect them to go with the lighter original, as I've said, they do not need the payload/range, which is already far in excess of the F-5s that are being replaced, though the AESA radar might be a part of an upgrade.

^*It probably did not help when, earlier in the competition, Boeing claimed that it would kick ass in short field capabilities relative to the competition.
While the aircraft does take off in a remarkably short distance from an aircraft carrier, that involves the use of catapults and arresting gear.
With the lowest power to weight ratio and highest wing loading of the competitors, they may have had representatives of the Swiss government laughing in their face.