Published 17 hours ago • loading... • Updated 12 hours ago

Swiss expect to purchase 30 F-35 jets after cost increases

The government confirmed on Friday, March 6, 2026, that the Swiss federal government will reduce its planned purchase from 36 to around 30 F-35A fighter jets .
With rising costs, Bern said Washington asked it to assume extra costs, but wanted to stick to the six billion Swiss francs referendum-approved price.
With Patriot delays, Bern is examining a European surface-to-air defence system while a group of defence ministry experts says 55 to 70 modern fighter jets are needed and the Swiss military requires 31 billion Swiss francs.
Parliament is to consider a CHF394 million credit in the 2026 Armed Forces Dispatch and the government proposes a temporary VAT increase of 0.8 percentage points for 10 years plus an armament fund, with a referendum planned for mid-2027.
Given the deteriorated security climate, officials say the final tally depends on U.S. government negotiations with manufacturers, and not buying planes is not an option amid rising hybrid threats.

Insights by Ground AI

37 Articles

Digi 24

Center

The Prices of F-35 Aircraft Have Become so High that Even Switzerland No Longer Allows Them. Berna Announced that It Will Buy Less.

Switzerland estimated that it could buy only 30 US F-35 aircraft instead of 36 due to cost growth, reports AFP.

12 hours ago·Romania

Read Full Article

Breaking Defense

Lean Right

Swiss cutting F-35 order by six, facing up to five year Patriot delay

By deciding against a request to secure funding for all 36 jets and move ahead with a reduced buy, the Swiss Federal Council accepted that “negative consequences” are to come.

12 hours ago

Read Full Article

Reuters

Reposted by

The Straits Times

Center

Swiss expect to purchase 30 F-35 jets after cost increases

Switzerland now expects to purchase around 30 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II ‌fighter jets, six fewer than initially projected, because of cost increases in the order, the government said on Friday. In December, Switzerland said it would no longer buy 36 ⁠of the jets as planned, and Defence Minister Martin Pfister said rising costs meant the government was requesting an additional credit worth 394 million Swiss francs ($505 million) from

13 hours ago·United Kingdom

Read Full Article