27 juin 2019 | International, Aérospatial

Le voie est ouverte pour une votation sur les jets de combat

KEYSTONE/EDDY RISCH

La voie est ouverte pour une votation sur les avions de combat. Le Conseil fédéral a remis mercredi au Parlement son projet d'arrêté attaquable par référendum. La facture est de six milliards. Les exigences pour les affaires compensatoires ont été revues à la baisse.

Quatre jets sont sur les rangs. De ce côté-ci de l'Atlantique, on retrouve le Rafale français (Dassault) et l'européen Eurofighter (Airbus). S'y ajoutent deux avions américains: le successeur du FA-18, le Super Hornet de Boeing, et le F-35A de Lockheed-Martin. Le Gripen E suédois (Saab) n'est plus dans la course depuis deux semaines.

Les Suisses ne voteront pas sur le modèle d'avion mais uniquement sur le principe de l'achat. Le Conseil fédéral se prononcera sur le type de jet après le scrutin populaire, qui devrait avoir lieu en septembre ou en novembre 2020. Le recours aux urnes est une attente dont il faut tenir compte sur le plan politique, selon le gouvernement.

Les deux derniers projets d'achats de jets avaient été marqués par un scrutin populaire. L'acquisition de F/A-18 avait été rendue possible après l'échec en 1993 de l'initiative populaire s'y opposant. L'achat de Gripen a été rejeté en 2014 après un référendum contre le fonds qui aurait dû être mis sur pied pour le financer.

A la mi-mai, la ministre de la défense Viola Amherd avait déjà exposé la marche à suivre pour les nouveaux jets. Elle avait alors revu et corrigé le projet d'arrêté de planification lancé par son prédécesseur Guy Parmelin.

Seulement les avions

Plus question désormais d'impliquer aussi l'achat d'un système de défense sol-air de longue portée, qui se fera dans le cadre des programmes d'armement ordinaires. L'arrêté précise toutefois que l'acquisition des jets sera coordonnée, sur le plan technique et du point de vue du calendrier, avec la défense sol-air.

Dans un rapport, l'expert, ancien spationaute et pilote militaire Claude Nicollier plaidait pour l'acquisition d'une quarantaine d'avions ainsi que pour un système de défense sol-air de longue portée pouvant couvrir environ 15'000 km2. Soit une facture totale de 9 milliards.

Le gouvernement en reste à son plafond de 8 milliards. L'arrêté de planification ne comporte que le volume de financement maximal pour les avions, soit 6 milliards. Un volume inférieur compromettrait la taille de la flotte. Prévoir davantage ne laisserait pas de cadre financier suffisant pour le système de défense sol-air, selon Viola Amherd.

Affaires compensatoires

Le Conseil fédéral est surtout revenu sur ses exigences en matière d'affaires compensatoires. Les entreprises étrangères qui se voient confier des mandats dans le cadre de l'acquisition des jets devront compenser 60% de la valeur contractuelle par l'octroi de mandats en Suisse, dont 20 % directement et 40 % indirectement dans le domaine de la base technologique et industrielle en lien avec la sécurité.

Dans un rapport, l'ancien directeur du Contrôle fédéral des finances Kurt Grüter s'était montré sceptique face à une compensation à 100%, qui enfreindrait le principe de la liberté du commerce et de l'industrie.

Pour lui, les compensations ne doivent être utilisées que pour renforcer la base technologique et industrielle suisse et il est impossible de compenser intégralement un volume de 6 à 7 milliards. Une exigence moindre en affaires compensatoires pourrait aussi faire baisser le prix des avions, a reconnu Viola Amherd.

D'ici 2030

Pour le reste, l'arrêté précise que la mise en service des nouveaux avions de combat doit être achevée d'ici à fin 2030. Et que leur acquisition est proposée à l'Assemblée fédérale dans le cadre d'un programme d'armement.

Le Conseil fédéral en profite pour souligner qu'il faut que l'armée puisse protéger la Suisse, à l'avenir aussi, contre des attaques aériennes, qu'elles soient menées par des forces armées ou par des groupes terroristes. Cette protection est cruciale.

Les avions de combat actuels (30 F/A-18 et 26 Tigers) arriveront à la fin de leur durée d'utilisation au plus tard vers 2030. S'ils ne sont pas remplacés à temps, l'armée ne pourra plus remplir sa mission. Le projet d'acquisition s'étendra sur plus de dix ans.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/fre/le-voie-est-ouverte-pour-une-votation-sur-les-jets-de-combat/45057728

Sur le même sujet

  • Future Pakistan-Turkish defense cooperation likely to be incremental, for now

    20 septembre 2018 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre

    Future Pakistan-Turkish defense cooperation likely to be incremental, for now

    By: Usman Ansari ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey pledged this week to increase defense cooperation between the two countries to new levels, but after a string of recent deals, analysts believe further cooperation will be incremental. Speaking to Turkey's Daily Sabah, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi highlighted defense relations such as recent deals for platforms like the T-129 helicopter gunships and Milgem corvettes, which he said would further improve as the countries continue to explore new opportunities. The existing deals alone are likely to see substantial offsets and technological input for Pakistani industry, and build upon existing supply of defense technology critical for all three branches of Pakistan's military. Pakistan's defense industry generally lags behind other nations, and has struggled to offer much in return bar a deal for the PAC Super Mushak basic training aircraft, further highlighting the importance of the relationship between Ankara and Islamabad. Asked exactly how that relationship may further improve, Brian Cloughley, and author, analyst, and former Australian defense attaché to Islamabad, said there is room to do so. He highlighted training as one area of cooperation, thanks to tensions between Pakistan and the U.S., along with armored personnel carriers and future orders of helicopters. While Turkish AFV-related technology is already finding its way onto Pakistani APCs and tanks, Pakistan is exploring options to supplement or even replace its M113 type APCs, perhaps with an IFV design, with Turkey's Kaplan or Tulpar IFV programs potentially of interest. Turkey's T625 multirole transport helicopter may also be considered to replace Pakistan's range of legacy types. Both countries also have active fifth generation fighter development projects, but analysts believe this level of cooperation is presently a step too far. Justin Bronk, an analyst with the RUSI think tank, raises concerns given “the lack of any proven domestic capacity in both Pakistan and Turkey to produce a fifth-generation fighter, than with any issues around security or industrial interests.” “Neither country is in any position to develop such capabilities for the foreseeable future without massive external assistance and technology transfer,” he said That idea is echoed by author, analyst, and former air force pilot Kaiser Tufail, who nevertheless stresses their respective fifth generation programs “must continue for a long-term goal of manufacture”. Tufail believes both nations should co-operate on an interim type of jet, with some of the technical characteristics of a full fifth-generation fighter “rather than jumping straight to a full-capability fifth generation fighter.” Though new to aircraft manufacture, he believes Pakistan has gained a slight edge over its potential partner, having co-produced the JF-17, “essentially a Chinese design based on PAF's specifications”, though there is still “need for collaboration in design and production of any new fighter.” Turkey in comparison, though having license produced F-16s, lacks comparable modern fighter design experience. Their close relationship makes fighter co-production “logical” though, he said. Therefore, present co-operation “could well take the shape of a ‘Block-4' JF-17 developed by Turkey and Pakistan” to be “considered for joint design and co-production”, after which “a stealth fighter would then be a logical next step.” https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2018/09/19/future-pakistan-turkish-defense-cooperation-likely-to-be-incremental-for-now

  • Honeywell and U.S. Army to demo next-generation T55 engine for Chinook helicopters

    10 juin 2020 | International, Aérospatial

    Honeywell and U.S. Army to demo next-generation T55 engine for Chinook helicopters

    Honeywell has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Army to demonstrate and fly its upgraded T55 engine on the heavy-lift, twin-engine Chinook helicopter. The new 6,000-horespower engine is 25% more powerful and consumes 10% less fuel than the current T55. New modifications also make the next-generation T55 easier to maintain with lower operating costs and increased readiness for the warfighter. The new T55-GA-714C engine is specifically designed for next-generation military operators, and will improve the Chinook helicopter's ability to lift troops and heavy cargo for the U.S. Army and National Guard. Because the engine is based closely on the T55 version currently in use, almost no airframe changes are required — the same intake, exhaust and engine airframe mounts are used. This provides the Army and National Guard with a major engine improvement without the need to retrain their maintenance and operational staff. The design improvement will be demonstrated as part of the Cooperation Research and Development Agreement process with the U.S. Army. The engine upgrade can be incorporated either by modifying existing engines at overhaul in the U.S. fleet or with new production engines. "Honeywell has spent years designing and developing the T55-GA-714C engine as part of our commitment to push the T55's power beyond the needs of the Chinook helicopter," said Dave Marinick, president, Engines and Power Systems, Honeywell Aerospace. "For 60 years, we've powered the world's most premier heavy-lift helicopter, and this latest improvement increases performance while saving important program dollars and maintenance hours as well as increasing mission readiness. We are proud of our legacy on the Chinook helicopter, and we are committed to continuously improve the T55 engine." The installation and demonstration of the advanced T55 engine will take place on a CH-47F Chinook at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia, under the supervision of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center. The demonstration will show the ease of installation and prove out the engine's new compressor design that brings additional performance and reduces fuel burn. After that, Honeywell will complete the final qualification process for the new engine design. Honeywell first delivered the T55 engine to the U.S. Army in 1961 at 2,050 shaft horsepower on the CH-47A helicopter. Since that time, the engine's power has nearly tripled to 6,000 shaft horsepower. Each performance increase on the T55 is accompanied by reduced fuel burn, increased reliability and decreased maintenance hours. The T55 engine is the world leader in powering heavy lift helicopters. Over 900 CH-47 helicopters are operated today by various militaries around the world. Press release issued by Honeywell Aerospace on June 4, 2020 http://www.airframer.com/news_story.html?release=74824

  • German defence ministry: working at full speed on procurement proposals

    21 novembre 2022 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR

    German defence ministry: working at full speed on procurement proposals

    There will be many more defence procurement proposals heading to the German parliament for approval this year, said a defence ministry spokesperson on Monday, as the war in Ukraine has put renewed focus on bringing the country's military up to speed.

Toutes les nouvelles