Article Posted on : - Feb 13, 2012

Gripen: A Saab photo.

GENEVA (AP): A Swiss newspaper has published what it says is a confidential report in which the Swiss Air Force recommended buying French or European fighter jets to replace its ageing fleet not the Swedish fighters later chosen by politicians.

The report posted online Sunday by the Zurich weekly newspaper SonntagsZeitung says Air Force tests in 2008 showed that Rafale fighters, made by French company Dassault Aviation, or Eurofighters built by a European consortium, were the best overall performers.

The Swiss Cabinet acknowledged cost was a factor in its November decision to order 22 Gripen fighters from Sweden's Saab AB to replace the air force's Northrop F-5 Tigers.

There was no immediate government comment Sunday. Swiss lawmakers have yet to approve the deal.