Historical Context

¶ 6. Historical Context

¶ Mirage Affair (1964)

The central historical reference case: CHF 870 million approved for 100 Mirage III S, costs exploded to over CHF 1.4 billion. The first Parliamentary Investigation Committee (PUK) in Swiss history determined "deliberate deception of Parliament." Reduction to 57 aircraft, resignation of Federal Councillor Chaudet (Federal Archives; HLS; Dodis).

¶ Gripen Debacle (2014)

On 18 May 2014, the electorate rejected the procurement of 22 Gripen E with 53.4% (Federal Chancellery). The direct lesson: In the F-35 procurement, the type selection was deliberately decoupled from the popular referendum (SRF, 2014).

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