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SWITZERLAND

Sweden should develop ‘super jets’: MPs

If the Swiss purchase of the fighter Jas Gripen goes through, Sweden should develop ten new advanced E/F model "Super-Jas", according to a proposal by the Riksdag's defense committee.

Sweden should develop 'super jets': MPs

“Yes, once we have taken the decision in the committee on December 15th,” said Cecilia Widegren, Moderate MP and deputy head of the Riksdag’s Defense Committee, to news agency TT.

A Defense committee majority has reached an agreement that Sweden should develop up to ten of the E/F model Jas if “Brazil or any other country” places an order for the fighter jet.

The proposition will be officially agreed by the Riksdag in two weeks time.

This would mean that the government in 2012 could be deciding on a development of up to ten aircraft, as long as the Swiss deal goes though.

However, the Greens want Sweden to upgrade the existing Gripen fighter jet and argue that the new E/F model would be too expensive.

The party spokesperson on defense, Peter Rådberg, said that it is very likely that it is a Super-Jas model that Switzerland wants, which would influence Sweden’s decision on future air defense.

He added that Switzerland is paying 22 billion kronor for the deal ($3.29 billion), which would indicate a billion kronor per fighter – a price tag significantly higher than for the existing planes.

“This is a lot more expensive. Previous calculations have estimated about half a billion per aircraft, so there’s a lot that indicate it is a E/F model that they are asking for, but we will see. We don’t have all the information at the moment,” he said to TT.

“Developing ten planes will cost tax payers enormous amounts of money.”

However, the Social Democrats are positive to the development of the ten super fighters, if the Swiss deal goes through.

“Getting this order at this point is good for Sweden. It is important both for the armed forces and for Sweden as a nation. It shows that Jas Gripen is a fighter and a defense system that has earned international respect,” said Social Democrat Peter Hultqvist, head of the Riksdag Committee on Defense, to TT.

Saab had prepared quotes of both a C/D and E/F version of the Jas Gripen fighter jet for Switzerland. At the Swiss press conference on Wednesday it was the E/F version that was discussed, according to TT.

On Thursday there were speculations in Swedish media as to what would happen if Switzerland later were to change its mind.

“All I can say is that the Swiss government yesterday chose Gripen after reviewing a number of other alternative possibilities for Switzerland,” defense minister Sten Tolgfors said to TT on Thursday.

“It is my firm belief that they are doing so because they are convinced that this is the best choice for Switzerland and that this choice will be anchored in the political system, so I choose not to speculate about that,” he said.

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SWITZERLAND

Three scenarios: How Switzerland plans to fight a Covid resurgence

Swiss government has devised three contingency plans that could be implemented to fight a new outbreak. What are they?

Three scenarios: How Switzerland plans to fight a Covid resurgence
Authorities want to prevent overcrowded hospitals if new wave comes. Photo by Fabrice Coffrini / AFP

Although Switzerland relaxed a number of coronavirus rules from June 26th and 28th, “the pandemic is not over”, as Health Minister Alain Berset said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Berset said Switzerland should not become complacent, with last summer a warning against feeling that the battle is won. 

He added, however, that the new wave is unlikely to be as large as the previous ones due to the country’s vaccination campaign.

This situation leaves a degree of uncertainty for which the government wants to be prepared as well as possible, Berset noted.

The Federal Council established a “just-in-case” procedure on Wednesday for three possible scenarios that could take place in the autumn and winter. 

These plans focus mainly on the rapid detection of variants and the continuation of vaccination, testing, and tracing.

The best-case scenario: status quo

In this scenario, the number of cases remains at a low level, though small outbreaks are still possible.

The number of infections may increase slightly due to seasonal factors — the virus is known to spread slower in summer and faster in autumn and winter—  but does not place a significant burden on the health system.

If this happens, no measures beyond those already in place would be necessary.

READ MORE: ANALYSIS: Is Switzerland lifting its Covid-19 restrictions too quickly?

Not so good: more contaminations

In this second scenario, there is an increase in the number of cases in autumn or winter.

There may be several reasons for this, for example the large proportion of unvaccinated people, seasonal effects — people tend to stay indoors together in cold weather, and contaminations are easier — or the appearance of new, more infectious variants.

This situation could overburden the health system and require the reintroduction of certain measures, such as the obligation to wear a mask outdoors.

Booster vaccinations may also be necessary.

The worst: new virus mutations

In scenario three, one or more new variants appear, against which the vaccine or the post-recovery immunity are less effective or no longer effective.

A new wave of pandemic emerges, requiring strong intervention by the public authorities and a new vaccination.

Which of the three scenarios is most likely to happen?

The government hasn’t said, but judging by the comments of health officials, the latter two are the strongest contenders.

Firstly, because the highly contagious Delta mutation, which is spreading quickly through many countries, is expected to be dominant in Switzerland within a few weeks.

It is expected that the virus will spread mostly to those who are not vaccinated and, to a lesser degree, to people who have only had one shot of the vaccine, according to Andreas Cerny, epidemiologist at the University of Bern

READ MORE: How Switzerland plans to contain the Delta variant

Another concern is related to the appearance of the new variants which could be as or possibly even more contagious than Delta and not as responsive to the current vaccines.

The government said the best chance of avoiding the second or third scenarios is to ensure people are vaccinated. 

“Widespread vaccination of the population is crucial to relieve the burden on the healthcare system and to manage the epidemic. A possible increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the autumn will largely depend on the proportion of the population that has been vaccinated,” the government wrote in a press statement.

The government has also indicating it is preparing for booster vaccinations to take place in 2022 and are encouraging cantons to keep their vaccine infrastructures in place. 

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