Swiss deal for 22 Saab JAS-39 moves step forward

Saab's proposed sale of 22 Gripen fighter jets to Switzerland won approval from the lower house of parliament on Wednesday with the Swedish defence firm confident the $3.4 billion deal would go through next year.
Lawmakers voted 113 to 68 to support the government's proposal to replace the country's aging fleet of Northrop F-5 Tiger fighters with the Gripen jets.
The deal, which will be debated by the upper house of parliament on Sept. 18, could still be derailed by a popular referendum even if approved, if at least 50,000 people or eight cantons call for one within a limited timeframe.
reuters