"Neutral State" Swiss Fire Inflot purchased the US F-35A fighter, 36!

Why is Switza so urgent?

Recently, the "neutral country" Switzerland did something that looked less in line with its own positioning.

On the 19th, the Swiss government confirmed that it has officially signed a contract with U.S. Military Enterprise Lockheed Martin, with a contract of about $ 6.2 billion. It is reported that these fighters will be delivered from 2027 to 2030.

In fact, since the Swiss government's first proposal for this "big conclusion" last year, there has been an opposition in Switzerland. Later, some political parties and groups also launching a referendum entitled "Prevent F-35" referendum initiative.

However, before the referendum was proceeded, the Swiss government was anxious to sign a fighter order with the United States. What exactly is Switzerland?

By the referendum buying fighter

Despite the continuous objections, the Swiss government has ordered a new US fighter.

On the 19th, Swiss National Army Director Martin Songderaig and F-35A project manager Darka Savich signed a procurement contract in Berne, Switzerland.

The Swiss government stated in a statement that the content of the contract also includes specific task equipment, weapons, ammunition, logistics, task planning and training support.

This decision of the Swiss government began in June last year. At that time, the news caused controversy in Switzerland. Opponents believe that this fighter is updated to update the existing fighter, and the expenditure is too high.

In August this year, two domestic political parties and a social group in Switzerland launched a referendum initiative of "Prevent F-35", which received the signature of more than 120,000 people, reached the standard for the number of referendums, and scheduled to be in March 12, 2023. A referendum was held on the day.

The "neutral country" Switzerland was controversial for purchasing the US F-35 fighter. Picture source: ft

But the Swiss government was obviously unable to wait. Agence France -Presse reported that the Swiss government and parliament decided to bypass the referendum signing of the military purchase contract to finalize the transaction before the quotation of Lockheed Martin to prevent the losses caused by possible price increases.

For the government's move, some people do not buy it. Many people believe that Switzerland can have negotiated with American companies, extend the contract period and wait for the referendum, but Switzerland does not want.

Binding US combat system

Is the Swiss government eager to get the new fighter plane?

"F-35A is the mainstream models of the five-generation aircraft. Its stealth ability, battlefield situation perception ability, and excellent air combat capabilities. Although the maneuverability is inferior, such a fighter with a variety of capabilities can satisfy Switzerland in Switzerland. The needs of the military field are also the "investment -name" submitted to the United States in Switzerland. "In the opinion of Yang Zhen, deputy director of the Northeast Asian Research Center of Shanghai Political Science and Law, the Swiss government wants to obtain the support of the United States in the defense field through this move. Therefore, Switzerland would rather bypass the referendum of the people and also buy the F-35A fighter. It is a comprehensive consideration for many factors such as geopolitics, military competition, and diplomatic relations.

A F-35A fighter took off at the Swiss Air Force Base. Photo source: Reuters

However, some opponents pointed out that buying F-35A fighters means that Switzerland will "do not depend on the United States" in terms of industrial and security policies.

"Today, only a few countries can use advanced technology to equip the three army and air, and the only countries that can develop the fifth generation machines are China, the United States and Russia." Yang Zhen said, "Switzerland itself is unable to develop the fifth -generation aircraft. And when buying an F-35A fighter from the United States, it means that Switzerland will largely bind to the air combat system in the United States in the future, and accept American logistics standards, combat concepts, military ideas and equipment systems. "

"Neutral country" is no longer neutral?

The air combat system that is bound to the United States? This is really not like a "neutral country" style.

Four days after the outbreak of the Russian and Ukraine conflict, Switzerland decided to comprehensively implement the EU sanctions against Russia, and there are many voices that "it is time to redefine 'neutral'."

After the outbreak of the Russian and Ukraine conflict, Switzerland also joined the ranks of sanctions against Russia. Picture source: tfiglobalnews

Yang Zhen believes that Switzerland's so -called "neutral stance" has always been "moisture content" is extremely high. As early as 2017, Switzerland participated in the US -led sanctions against Russia and frozen Russia's $ 5 billion in funds. After the outbreak of the Russian -Ukraine conflict, Switzerland, while actively sanctioning Russia, also wanted to be a middleman who had Russia -Ukraine relations.

At that time, Nichayev, deputy spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded: "We responded very clearly that Switzerland had unfortunately lost its position as a neutral country and could neither serve as a middleman nor a representative of interests. ","

Yang Zhen said that nowly, it is not ruled out that Switzerland is so angry that he can buy the US F-35A in the United States to accelerate the possibility of relying on the United States.

"The so -called" neutral stance "Switzerland is greatly influenced by ideology, so it will continue to change with the development of the international situation. As far as its nature is concerned, the so -called" neutral "Switzerland is not a real 'neutral', but it has it. The biased 'neutral'. "Yang Zhen predicts that" the change of this so -called 'neutral position' will greatly deteriorate the relationship between Switzerland and Russia and split Europe. strengthen."

Yang Zhen pointed out that because the crude oil imported from Switzerland is mainly from North Africa and North America, Russia's energy countermeasures have little impact on Switzerland. This is an important reason why Switzerland dares to slide to the United States and NATO.Buying F-35A may become a beginning of Switzerland in the future.Produced deep -sea district studio

Written Wang Ruoxian

Edit deep sea salt

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