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Swiss F-35A procurement cost, public opposition and delays

Updated 9 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-15 14:42 UTC → 2026-10-23 22:15 UTC · added removed

Production of the Swiss Air Force’s F-35A fighter jet fleet continues at the Leonardo facility in Cameri, Italy, with deployment scheduled for Payerne in 2028, Meiringen in 2030, and Emmen in 2032. The first eight aircraft are scheduled for training at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in mid-2027, with the first Swiss airframe, J-6004, expected to arrive by late 2029. The procurement process remains mired in controversy following investigations by the Swiss Parliamentary Control Commission (GPK). The GPK 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 expected to cost between 1 and 2 billion Swiss francs more than originally planned. In response to these discrepancies, response, the Swiss National Council approved an additional credit of approximately 400 million Swiss francs. However, due to inflation and rising costs, the absence of a true flat-rate price, current funding is expected to cover a minimum of 30 aircraft rather than the original 36. This has fueled intense political debate, with critics describing Critics have described the process as a “debacle” “debacle,” and questioning the credibility of the VBS. Public public sentiment has shifted significantly following these revelations. A recent opinion poll indicates that shifted, with polls indicating 65 percent of respondents oppose the F-35 deal, while only 28 percent support it. deal. In response to findings of negligence and a lack of specialized legal expertise within Armasuisse, the Swiss government has agreed to implement defense procurement reforms. These include expanding Armasuisse’s legal department into a dedicated center of expertise and reviewing negotiating mandates for major future acquisitions. Regarding the ‘RIGI’ project, Ruag and Lockheed Martin have formalized a contractual an agreement to establish a specialized facility for the final assembly and testing of F-35A jets in Emmen, Switzerland. To optimize the cost-benefit ratio, the scope has been adjusted from four jets to three. This move positions Emmen as one of only four global locations capable of performing such assembly. The first fuselage is expected in Switzerland in September 2027, with production beginning in autumn 2027. Once assembled and tested in Emmen, aircraft will be flown to Italy for radar-absorbent stealth coating before delivery to Payerne.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-23 22:15 UTC Swiss F-35A procurement cost, public opposition and delays
  2. 2026-10-15 14:42 UTC Swiss F-35A procurement cost, public opposition and delays
  3. 2026-10-11 19:49 UTC Swiss F-35A procurement cost, public opposition and delays
  4. 2026-10-02 08:05 UTC Swiss F-35A procurement cost and public opposition
  5. 2026-09-27 01:01 UTC Swiss F-35A procurement cost and fixed-price controversy
  6. 2026-09-25 09:23 UTC Swiss F-35A production and procurement cost controversy
  7. 2026-09-15 19:32 UTC Swiss F-35A production and procurement cost controversy
  8. 2026-09-09 05:57 UTC Swiss F-35A production and procurement cost controversy
  9. 2026-08-22 15:05 UTC Swiss F-35A fighter jet production
  10. 2026-08-18 05:12 UTC Swiss F-35A fighter jet production

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