Switzerland Joins Australia; How Is France Trying to Exploit the Failure of Its Arms Sales?

An Italian website reported that Australia canceled the French submarine deal and replaced it with American nuclear-powered submarines under, (AUKUS), the new U.S.-British and Australian strategic agreement, not only did it cause a crisis between Paris, Washington and Canberra; But the Elysée also opened a new front of tension with Switzerland, the focus of the dispute is again arms deals.

“Inside Over” indicated that Bern chose, at the beginning of last fall, the American stealth fighter “F-35” instead of its French competitor “Rafale”; But it did not inform Paris about this.

It stated that “Switzerland had obtained approval from the US State Department to purchase various weapons system, to strengthen the fleet of the armed forces, including a certain number of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, Patriot air defense missiles, as well as the fifth-generation fighters with a total deal amounting to billions of dollars.”

In particular, the deal included the purchase of 40 “F-35” fighters, which were later reduced to 36 fighters, the new “Super Hornet” will also replace the fighters of the Swiss Air Force and will improve its air defenses.

 

Diplomatic Slap

The site stated that “Switzerland's decision angered Paris after Washington blew up the deal, a year later, the failure of the Swiss deal resurfaced again, especially with the issue of the “AUKUS” agreement (Security Agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States), and the fall of the deal to buy 12 attack submarines, which caused a new diplomatic crisis.

While the French newspaper “Le Monde” reported that President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Switzerland, scheduled for November 2021, has been cancelled.

A few days ago, the French ambassador to Switzerland, Frederic Journes, arrived at the Foreign Ministry in Bern to convey the message of the French presidency to his astonished interlocutors.

The content of the letter specifically concerned the cancellation of Macron's visit to Switzerland and his meeting with his counterpart Guy Parmelin in November 2021, in order to hold a working meeting.

The Italian website considered the French decision a diplomatic slap, but it came too late.

According to informed sources, what upset Paris was not Bern's final decision to choose American fighters; Rather, the crooked Swiss negotiating methods.

In this regard, it is mentioned that it was believed that the deal between the two countries was in its final stages, especially after Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd hinted that all that was left was to work on the details of the agreement such as compensation issues.

According to Le Monde, Paris made significant concessions, Macron also talked about granting forms of support to Switzerland in its difficult negotiations with the European Union.

The Swiss Federal Council had unilaterally put an end to negotiations with the European Commission on a new partnership, since then, Switzerland has found itself increasingly isolated.

According to several parties, the Swiss Ministry of Defense was aware that the “Rafale” fighter would not be the new warplane for its air force.

The website pointed out that “Bern's decision also opened an internal front in which Paris intervened.”

In July 2021, the Swiss Francophone press described the decision as a strategic mistake and a disastrous step.

 

Untangling Fate

The site explained the Swiss option for the American “F-35” fighters, as the latter is distinguished by being the best fifth-generation fighter, which makes Berne Air Force among the strongest in the world.

It also enriches it to rely on the Europeans in an important component of the armed forces such as the air force; Thus, untangling its fate from the fate of potential uncomfortable neighbors.

Currently, following what the Italian website described as the Australian setback, it seems that Paris wants to settle all its outstanding accounts, especially with Switzerland.

It is worth noting that since 2014, when the proposal to purchase 22 Saab Jas-29 Gripen fighters was canceled, the Swiss Air Force, due to budgetary constraints, had to protect the country's airspace only during administrative time.

This situation changed slightly in January 2016; Swiss fighters can now fly five days a week from 8 to 6 pm.

As of January 1, 2019, the air defense service has been extended by hours ranging from 6 to 22, throughout the year, before the country's military announced that its airspace would be protected around the clock by Swiss fighters at the start of 2021.

In this regard, it is mentioned that “the French army assumed the role of protecting Swiss airspace during the night hours in the above-mentioned period.”

The Italian website concluded by emphasizing that “the timing of the Elysée’s reaction shows once again how France does not intend to subject itself to the policies of the Atlantic and trying to become the dominant country in the old continent, by taking advantage of the European Union and the pivot with Berlin thanks to the UK’s exit from the Union.”