Swiss Poised To Slash F-35 Order As Prices Mount

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Switzerland will reduce its order for 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters in response to this system’s ballooning prices. The announcement places a query mark over the way forward for the procurement. It additionally comes at a time when other customers are also looking at the stealth jet when it comes to the worth it provides for the appreciable funding, not simply when it comes to upfront prices, however particularly sustainment all through the plane’s service life.

Following a cupboard assembly, the Swiss authorities at this time stated it had instructed the protection ministry to purchase the best potential variety of F-35As throughout the beforehand agreed finances of six billion Swiss francs ($7.54 billion). Stories counsel that, whereas the Swiss authorities seen this as a set worth, america later refuted that and claimed it was a misunderstanding .

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="683" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?strip=all&quality=85&amp%3Bw=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6484332" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=50&h=33 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=280&h=187 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=289&h=193 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=300&h=200 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=308&h=205 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=324&h=216 324w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=370&h=247 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=580&h=387 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=594&h=396 594w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=600&h=400 600w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=660&h=440 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=768&h=512 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Swiss-F-35-eval.webp?w=1024&h=683 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> F-35As throughout Swiss flight evaluations in June 2019. Lockheed Martin

“Attributable to foreseeable price overruns, sustaining the initially deliberate variety of 36 F-35As just isn't financially possible,” the federal government stated in an announcement.

It’s presently unclear what number of jets the Swiss finances will cowl, however it’s price noting that Finland’s order for 64 F-35As , budgeted at $9.4 billion, labored out with an equal cost-per-jet of round $82 million. Nevertheless, further prices of infrastructure, weapons, upkeep tools, spare components, coaching, and different techniques and providers must be factored in. Within the case of the F-35, particularly, these prices are uniquely excessive.

The unique Swiss finances for a brand new fighter was narrowly authorised by the general public in a 2020 referendum.

A referendum is an uncommon quirk of Swiss procurement, with the most costly arms purchases first having to win the backing of the nation’s voters. On this approach, the utmost spend of six billion Swiss francs was authorised earlier than the sort had been chosen.

The F-35 fought off competitors from the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet , Dassault Rafale , and Eurofighter Typhoon .

After what was described as a “complete technical analysis,” Switzerland’s Federal Council introduced in 2021 that it deliberate to advocate to the nation’s parliament that it procure 36 F-35As as a part of the Air2030 program. The bundle additionally contains 5 Patriot air defense systems from Raytheon, which can present the Alpine nation with a brand new long-range ground-based air protection functionality.

“An analysis has revealed that these two techniques [F-35A and Patriot] supply the best total profit on the lowest total price,” the Federal Council defined in a statement . “The Federal Council is assured that these two techniques are essentially the most appropriate for shielding the Swiss inhabitants from air threats sooner or later.”

The F-35 will change the Swiss Air Pressure’s present fleet of 30 ‘legacy’ F/A-18C/D Hornets , scheduled to be withdrawn in 2030, in addition to its growing old F-5E/F Tiger II jets, that are slated for retirement in 2027. The primary new F-35As had been as soon as anticipated to reach within the nation from 2025, a date that has already been pushed again.

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="423" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&amp%3Bw=1024" alt="A Swiss air force F-18 Hornet takes off from the runway here Sept. 3, in support of the Nordic Air Meet 2012. The multinational training exercise brought together more than 50 aircraft from the United States, Great Britain, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden to participate in tactical role-playing training missions. The three week exercise enabled the different nations to exchange aerial tactics and capabilities to improve combat power effectiveness in solo and joint environments while building and strengthening international partnerships. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis/Released)" class="wp-image-6484329" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=50&h=21 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=280&h=116 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=289&h=119 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=300&h=124 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=308&h=127 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=370&h=153 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=524&h=216 524w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=580&h=239 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=660&h=272 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=704&h=290 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=768&h=317 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=969&h=400 969w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/663165.jpg?w=1024&h=423 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A Swiss Air Pressure F/A-18C Hornet. U.S. Air Pressure Photograph by Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis/Launched 2nd Lt. Dillon Davis

Mockingly, Swiss media stories on the time advised that the F-35 was chosen because it provided the most effective worth for cash.

“In line with insiders, Switzerland should purchase a bigger variety of F-35s with the budgeted six billion Swiss francs [$6.53 billion] than could be the case with the three rivals,” Swiss broadcaster SRF reported, citing nameless sources.

In line with the Federal Council’s findings, as of 2021, the fleet of 36 F-35As would price round $5.48 billion, properly throughout the worth cap.

Now, on the present alternate fee, the finances cap stands at 7.54 billion, which is now not adequate for 36 of the stealth jets.

In the meantime, no matter unit worth, the price of really sustaining the jets as soon as in service has lengthy been a trigger for concern.

There’s additionally the problem of the delayed Block 4 improve and the shortage of readability round how a lot clients will really pay for this. Block 4 helps a brand-new radar and a bunch of different capabilities. Amongst them are increased missile capacity , new weaponry, superior electronic warfare capabilities , and improved target recognition .

As we pointed out in the past , Block 4 would possibly solely begin to change into obtainable after the Swiss start receiving their jets, which might require them to both improve or determine in opposition to getting that functionality enhance.

It’s additionally removed from clear what is going to occur subsequent in Switzerland’s F-35 procurement; loads will depend upon how lots of the jets can really be obtained throughout the stipulated finances.

Previously, Switzerland has not been averse to strolling away from fighter procurements totally.

A earlier fighter competitors that sought a partial substitute for the F-5 fleet noticed the Saab Gripen E/F being chosen, with a choice to purchase 22 examples, earlier than your entire challenge was rejected by a referendum in 2014.

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="575" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="jAS 39 E" class="wp-image-6473910" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=50&h=28 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=280&h=157 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=289&h=162 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=300&h=169 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=308&h=173 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=370&h=208 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=384&h=216 384w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=580&h=326 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=660&h=371 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=704&h=396 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=712&h=400 712w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=768&h=432 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jas-39-Gripen-E_Foto_SAAB.jpg?w=1024&h=575 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A Swedish Air Pressure Gripen E. Saab SAAB

On the identical time, it’s possible that a minimum of some Swiss Cupboard members would favor a European fighter, and critics of the F-35 have beforehand advised another referendum to probably overturn the choice to purchase American. This problem has solely change into magnified because the Swiss determination, with European nations more and more unsure about shopping for U.S. protection merchandise.

There’s additionally an enormous query over whether or not Switzerland wants such a classy, low-observable multirole fighter, since its main accountability will probably be day-to-day air policing. The Swiss Air Pressure additionally sits outdoors of NATO, so it doesn’t make operational deployments outdoors of its borders.

An alternative choice might see a push for a less expensive ‘complementary’ fighter, or gentle fight plane, to offer further fight (and superior coaching) ‘mass’ alongside a diminished fleet of F-35s. This is able to parallel the present order of battle through which F-5s function alongside F/A-18s.

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="683" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&amp%3Bw=1024" alt="A Swiss Air Force F-5 Tiger fighter jet releases flares over Brienz in the Bernese Alps on October 10, 2018, during the annual live fire event of the Swiss Air Force at the Axalp. - At an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level, spectators attended a unique aviation display performed at the highest air force firing range in Europe. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)" class="wp-image-6484334" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=50&h=33 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=280&h=187 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=289&h=193 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=300&h=200 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=308&h=205 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=324&h=216 324w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=370&h=247 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=580&h=387 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=594&h=396 594w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=600&h=400 600w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=660&h=440 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=768&h=512 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1051945696.jpg?w=1024&h=683 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A Swiss Air Pressure F-5E Tiger II releases flares over Brienz within the Bernese Alps in 2018, through the annual live-fire occasion at Axalp. Photograph by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP through Getty Pictures FABRICE COFFRINI

There's additionally the chance that Switzerland determines that it wants the total 36 F-35s. The Swiss authorities additionally lately stated that the deteriorating safety scenario in Europe signifies that the Swiss Air Pressure may need between 55 and 70 new fighter jets.

If that turns into coverage, one other referendum is perhaps required on the whole finances. The query may very well be put to the Swiss public, with a choice once more to be made impartial of plane sort.

Contact the writer: thomas@thewarzone.com

Thomas is a protection author and editor with over 20 years of expertise overlaying navy aerospace matters and conflicts. He’s written various books, edited many extra, and has contributed to lots of the world’s main aviation publications. Earlier than becoming a member of The Warfare Zone in 2020, he was the editor of AirForces Month-to-month .