Switzerland reforms defense procurement following F-35 pricing dispute

The Swiss government has acknowledged failings in the procurement of F-35A fighter jets and agreed to implement defense procurement reforms. Following a dispute regarding promised fixed pricing, Defence Minister Martin Pfister indicated that available funding may only cover the purchase of 30 aircraft instead of the originally planned 36.

Parliament has approved a supplementary credit of CHF394 million to address the situation. In response to an oversight committee report, the Federal Council accepted six parliamentary recommendations in full and one in part. The government admitted that Armasuisse’s legal department lacked the necessary resources and specialized expertise for a project of such complexity, leading to its expansion into a dedicated center of expertise.

Future reforms include examining whether negotiating mandates for major acquisitions require approval from departmental leadership or the Federal Council. The government also intends to involve parliament more closely and is considering internal peer reviews for high-risk acquisitions, utilizing project-specific quantitative assessments for risk management.