The Swiss Air Force will conduct a full evaluation of the JAS Gripen, manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab, during the last week of July. It is the first fighter to be tested as part of their Air Force's fighter replacement program. The French Dassault Rafale and the European consortium, EADS, Eurofighter are the other contenders.

Switzerland has not confirmed the exact number of planes it intends to purchase. "Gripen will be fully evaluated in Switzerland in July, and we expect the tests to continue into August," said Lasse Jansson, a Saab Group's spokesman. A decision will be taken after the evaluation regarding the submission of a formal bid.

The Swiss Air Force favors the purchase of 22 to 33 fighters as part of a $2 billion procurement program to replace F-5s, with the first aircraft deliveries required by 2013 and running to 2016. Switzerland wants to replace three of its five Tiger II squadrons with new fighter aircraft. These next-generation fighters will partner with their Air Force's three squadrons of upgraded F/A-18C/D Hornets that make up the rest of its fighter fleet.

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