# Swiss F-35A production and procurement cost controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/swiss-f-35a-fighter-jet-production > Updated: 2026-09-08T18:11:14.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 4. Production of the Swiss Air Force’s F-35A fighter jet fleet is progressing at the Leonardo facility in Cameri, Italy. Recent manufacturing milestones include the assembly of a wing and a fuselage section, identified as MJ-4, for the aircraft designated J-6004. This aircraft is intended to be the fourth Swiss-registered F-35A. The manufacturing process remains a distributed global model. Once structural work is completed in Italy, components will be transported to the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas, for final integration. The Cameri plant produces approximately one-third of all F-35 wings, while the central fuselage is manufactured in Germany and the rear section in the United Kingdom. Deployment in Switzerland is scheduled to occur in phases: Payerne in 2028, Meiringen in 2030, and Emmen in 2032. Training for Swiss personnel is slated to begin in mid-2027 at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. However, the procurement process has faced scrutiny following a report from the Swiss Parliamentary Control Commission (GPK). The investigation revealed that the fixed price previously communicated by the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (VBS) was an “illusion,” as US authorities indicated that providing Switzerland with guaranteed prices or better conditions than other partner states was legally impossible. Consequently, the procurement is now expected to cost between 1 and 2 billion Swiss francs more than originally planned. The GPK criticized the VBS for negligence and a lack of transparency regarding the contract’s actual terms. ## Claims - The first German F-35A (MG-01) has moved to the final finishes stage at the Fort Worth, Texas facility. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Germany has ordered 35 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The F-35A acquisition is intended to replace the Panavia Tornado for NATO nuclear sharing and conventional multi-role capabilities. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The first German F-35A is expected to undergo its official rollout and first flight by the end of 2026. (single source) - The first German F-35As will be delivered to the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas for pilot and mechanic training. (single source) - Switzerland plans to receive its first F-35A in mid-2028, with the J-6004 expected to arrive by late 2029. (single source) - The first eight F-35As for Switzerland will be stationed at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base starting in mid-2027 for training. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Switzerland F-35 procurement faces multi-billion franc cost increase A Swiss parliamentary report reveals that the F-35 fighter jet procurement will cost billions more than promised, as the previously communicated fixed price was legally impossible according to US authorities. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/switzerland-f-35-procurement-faces-multi-billion-franc-cost-increase ### 2026-08-21: F-35A production advances for Germany and Switzerland Lockheed Martin reports progress on F-35A deliveries for Germany and Switzerland. Germany's first jet (MG-01) has entered final finishing, while Switzerland expects its first delivery in mid-2028. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/f-35a-production-advances-for-germany-and-switzerland ### 2026-08-17: Switzerland's first F-35A components enter production in Italy The first components for Switzerland's F-35A fighter fleet, including a fuselage section and wing, have entered production at Leonardo's facility in Italy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/switzerlands-first-f-35a-components-enter-production-in-italy ### 2026-08-14: Swiss F-35A production advances with assembly in Italy Production of Switzerland’s F-35A fighter jets is underway, with initial components assembled in Italy and final assembly planned in the US. Deliveries to Switzerland are expected to begin in 2028. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/swiss-f-35a-production-advances-with-assembly-in-italy --- Cite as: Swiss F-35A production and procurement cost controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/swiss-f-35a-fighter-jet-production