The Swiss government is all but ruling out purchase of used aircraft under its F-5 replacement program.

The issue has come up in discussions recently in Switzerland, prompting the military to say it reviewed the option but didn’t consider it a good option. The idea is that used F/A-18C/Ds could be bought to augment the existing fleet.

Procurement of used aircraft doesn’t make technical, economic and military sense owing to the overhaul and upgrade requirements, as well as the limited residual useful life of such an aircraft, argues Swiss defense procurement agency, armasuisse.

Nevertheless, armasuisse says it would accept a used aircraft offer if it were submitted. The evaluation criteria for such an offer would be identical to that used for the Saab Gripen, Dassault Rafale, and Eurofighter Typhoon, which remain in the competition.