The three contestants for Switzerland’s F-5 replacement program have handed in updated bids to the Swiss government.

Dassault (offering the Rafale), EADS (with the Typhoon), and Saab (with the Gripen) were given extra time to update their bids, particularly with regard to technology cooperation, once the government decided to slip the source selection process into 2010 (Aerospace DAILY, Oct. 23).

In addition to updated pricing information, the contestants also were allowed to include technical advancements they have made on the aircraft.

The technical evaluation of the contestants should still be concluded this year, according to the Swiss government, although a source selection will not be made until March, with the program likely included in the 2011 armaments plan.

In December, the government also plans to make public information from noise measurements conducted during the flight evaluation of the contestants.

The government is nominally looking to acquire 22 aircraft, although the exact number will be driven by an ongoing strategic review due to be completed just before the source selection is made, as well as the offers put on the table by the three contenders.

Photo: Gripen