Switzerland will buy fewer than the planned 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters after rising costs made the full purchase financially unfeasible, the Federal Council announced Dec. 12.
The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport said talks with the United States this summer showed Switzerland could not enforce the contract’s fixed price, citing additional costs linked to inflation, commodity price changes and other factors. A public referendum in September 2022 capped spending on the fighter program at 6 billion Swiss francs, a figure that has been eroded by currency shifts and cost increases.
Deliveries under the original contract are scheduled for 2027–2030, but the government has not disclosed how many aircraft can now be bought within the approved budget. Despite the reduction, the Federal Council said abandoning the F-35A is not an option, citing its importance for interoperability with other European air forces, and instructed the defence ministry to acquire the maximum number possible within current financial limits.
Switzerland, which plans to raise defence spending to 1% of GDP by 2032, said it may revisit additional fighter purchases after further security and budget reviews in 2026. The Swiss air force currently operates 25 F/A-18C Hornets and 15 F-5E Tigers, and defence officials estimate a long-term requirement of 55 to 70 combat aircraft, regardless of type.