Switzerland approves additional funding for F-35 fighter jet procurement

The Swiss House of Representatives has approved an additional CHF 394 million to fund the acquisition of F-35A fighter jets. This decision follows a parliamentary watchdog report revealing that the “fixed price” previously promised to voters and Parliament was never legally secured in a contract.

Due to inflation, rising raw-material costs, and the absence of a true flat-rate price under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales system, the total number of aircraft to be delivered is expected to decrease from the originally planned 36 to a minimum of 30. The watchdog concluded that a definitive fixed price could not have been agreed upon because, under U.S. law, the government cannot assume financial losses on behalf of foreign clients.

The funding is part of a larger CHF 3.4 billion military package. The controversy stems from a 2020 public vote that narrowly approved the fleet acquisition based on government assurances regarding cost stability.