Originally posted by LaurenOE I didn't know the Swiss had strike/attack aircraft...and an F/A-18 no less. No Aeromachi or Euro Fighter or Panavia something? Curious.
The Swiss needed something to replace their Mirage IIIs in the 90s and obviously didn't want to wait for Eurofighter or Rafale. I am somewhat surprised that they didn't go for the Gripen instead of the Hornet. Maybe SAAB didn't want to give them a license to build the Gripen themselves like McDonnell Douglas did with the Hornet.
The Swiss still operate about 50 F-5E Tiger IIs as well, they are to be replaced by either the Gripen, Eurofighter or Rafale.