Switzerland has confirmed that it will continue to pursue the introduction of the F-35A stealth fighter, but the final number of acquisitions is likely to be lower than initially planned.
Instead of the originally planned 36, the Swiss government expects to purchase about 30 due to rising program costs.
This decision was confirmed by the Swiss Federal Council after a financial review of the project on March 6, 2026.
Revise plan due to increased costs
According to the government, the total cost of the program has increased due to global inflation, rising commodity prices and other economic cost factors.
To keep purchases within the fiscal limits approved by the people, the Federal Council said it would request an additional budget of 394 million Swiss francs from parliament.
This is to compensate for some of the additional costs incurred after project approval.
“The U.S. government is requesting additional costs related to inflation, raw material prices and other factors,” the Federal Council explained in an official statement.
The program remains within the limits approved by the public.
The plan to introduce new fighter jets was approved by the Swiss Parliament in December 2019 and confirmed by the public through a referendum in September 2020.
At the time, a budget ceiling of 6 billion Swiss francs was set, based on prices as of January 2018.
After adjusting for inflation, this fiscal limit has increased to approximately 6.429 billion Swiss francs by the end of 2025.
This additional budget request of 394 million francs exactly closes the gap between the maximum allowable amount and the previously approved 6.035 billion francs.
Expected to be introduced in about 30 units
According to the Swiss Ministry of Defense’s current projections, the new budget level will enable the purchase of approximately 30 F-35A fighter jets.
However, the final introduction quantity will be determined after future negotiations between the U.S. government and the manufacturers responsible for the remaining production volume.
Smaller force size may impact operational capabilities
The Swiss government has acknowledged that a reduction in the number of fighter jets could impact its ability to operate air defense operations, especially at a time of heightened international tensions.
A complete air defense system to counter current threats would require between 55 and 70 modern fighter aircraft, according to a previous study conducted by Defense Ministry experts.
Nonetheless, authorities said further reducing the number of fighter jets or canceling the program was not a realistic option. This is because it can severely limit a country’s ability to defend its territory.
deadline for final decision
To secure a spot on the F-35 production line, Switzerland must confirm final acquisition quantities to the U.S. government by the second quarter of 2027.
If Congress approves an additional budget, it will be possible to finalize orders for fighter jets within the financial limits approved by the public.
Introduction to the F-35A
The F-35A is a fifth-generation fighter designed to perform a variety of missions, including securing air superiority, precision strike, and intelligence and surveillance operations.
The aircraft uses advanced sensors, data fusion technology, and network-based communication systems to enable real-time information sharing on the battlefield.
Sources and images: Swiss Federal Council | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
