The Swiss Confederation has been forced to reduce its planned procurement of the US F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jet. The Federal Council's decision of December 12, 2025, marks a turning point in one of the most politically sensitive arms deals in recent Swiss history. The main reason for the adjustment is foreseeable additional costs, primarily due to price increases from the manufacturer in the United States.
Since the financial framework of six billion Swiss francs, established by the people in the 2020 referendum, remains binding, the number of fighter jets to be procured must be reduced to avoid a budget overrun and the associated need for additional funding. Bern is thus responding to financial realities, respecting the will of the people, and attempting to defuse the ongoing political controversy surrounding the aircraft model. The exact number of jets now ordered is still undecided, but it is expected that the Swiss Air Force will initially receive significantly fewer than the originally planned 36 aircraft. This reduction presents new challenges to the country's long-term air defense strategy.
The Air2030 program and the much-discussed selection
The procurement of new fighter jets is part of the comprehensive Air2030 armaments program, which aims to replace the aging fleets of F/A-18C/D Hornets and F-5 Tigers of the Swiss Air Force. Following a complex and internationally acclaimed evaluation process led by the armaments agency Armasuisse, the Federal Council selected the F-35A from Lockheed Martin in July 2021.
In the technical evaluation, the F-35A prevailed against its European competitors, the Airbus Eurofighter and the Dassault Rafale, as well as against the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. According to the authorities at the time, the decisive factor for the US jet was the combination of superior effectiveness, state-of-the-art product support, and a compelling cost-benefit ratio. In particular, the F-35A's technological advantage, stemming from its stealth capabilities and sensor fusion, which provides pilots with superior situational awareness, was considered crucial. The Federal Council argued that, compared to the competing models, the fifth-generation jet could guarantee airspace surveillance and protection against attacks best and for the longest period. Although the outcome of the competition was questioned critically from various quarters, especially France and Germany, Bern stood by its decision.
The dispute over the alleged fixed price
At the heart of the current dilemma lies a profound misunderstanding, or rather a contractual disagreement, regarding pricing. When the purchase was announced in 2021, the Swiss authorities assumed they could acquire the 36 jets for a fixed price of six billion Swiss francs. This sum represented the upper limit of the loan approved by the people.
The US government, as a contracting party in the so-called Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, later vehemently contradicted this interpretation. Washington argued that only certain elements of the contract had fixed prices, not the total costs of the program, which would spread over the years of delivery. Reasons cited for the price increases included the high inflation rate in the US, sharply increased commodity prices, and general cost factors in the global arms market. Experts anticipated additional costs of between 650 million and 1,3 billion Swiss francs during 2025.
The fixed-price dispute escalated in 2025, leading to intensive internal reviews in Bern and discussions with the US government. Legal opinions commissioned by the Swiss government stated that the agreement was fundamentally binding and that price adjustments were permissible only under very limited circumstances. However, the US authorities' position that Switzerland would have to bear all costs, since Washington itself would only resell the jet at the price it paid, made it clear that Bern was wary of the political conflict and the financial risk of litigation.
The choice of reduction and political reactions
Given Parliament's refusal to grant additional funding and the political sensitivity surrounding putting the financing issue to a public vote again, the Federal Council opted for a reduction approach. The official announcement of December 12, 2025, states that only the "maximum possible number" of F-35As will be procured within the six-billion-franc budget. This decision avoids the risk of another referendum, which could have derailed the entire procurement program, as public support was already waning significantly prior to the decision.
Numerous media outlets are speculating that the new number of aircraft could be around 30 instead of 36. This reduction in the number of aircraft has a direct impact on Swiss industry. The original plan included so-called offset agreements, which involved the partial assembly and testing of four F-35As at RUAG in Switzerland as part of Project Rigi. These offset agreements were intended to build up crucial domestic expertise related to the fifth-generation fighter jet and strengthen maintenance independence. However, a reduction in the order volume diminishes the potential scope of these offset agreements. The Federal Council rejected partial compensation for the additional costs through the cancellation of these offset agreements in order to avoid further jeopardizing the intended strengthening of maintenance capabilities.
The political landscape reacted with division. Supporters from bourgeois circles, such as parts of the Swiss People's Party (SVP), expressed disappointment and spoke of a cowardly decision that weakened the credibility of national defense. Left-wing and pacifist circles, on the other hand, who had criticized the F-35 purchase from the outset, renewed their demand for the immediate cancellation of the entire contract. They argue that the rising costs and the dependence on the US undermine the credibility of the original procurement decision and the country's neutrality.
Trade conflicts as a political shadow
The cost issues surrounding the F-35 deal played out against the backdrop of broader geopolitical and economic tensions between Bern and Washington. Earlier in 2025, the US government had temporarily imposed punitive tariffs on Swiss exports as part of a trade dispute. Although the two countries later eased the tariffs, the episode further fueled political criticism in Switzerland. Many voices across the political spectrum viewed the situation as unfavorable, given that an arms purchase of this magnitude was being made with a partner who was simultaneously exerting economic pressure on the country.
The experience of the trade dispute intensified calls for a reassessment of Germany's security dependence on US defense suppliers and fueled discussions about closer military cooperation with European partners. Despite these concerns, the Federal Council is sticking with the F-35, citing, among other things, the fact that 13 other European countries already rely on the US fighter jet.
Outlook and long-term defense strategy
Despite the reduction in the number of aircraft, the strategic introduction of the F-35A into the Swiss Air Force remains unchanged. The first deliveries are still scheduled to begin in 2027. The aircraft will initially be produced in the USA, before later jets undergo final assembly at the Final Assembly Line (FACO) in Cameri, Italy, which facilitates logistical and technical integration with European partners.
Swiss defense authorities emphasize that the F-35 will remain central to the long-term air defense strategy, even in smaller numbers. However, they are aware that the reduced fleet size is unlikely to be sufficient to meet the operational requirements defined in strategic reports in the long run. A 2017 report already suggested a need for 55 to 70 modern fighter jets to ensure comprehensive air defense against current threats.
The Federal Council has therefore left the door open for future, separate procurements. The Department of Defence has been tasked with prioritizing needs and examining the option of a later increase in air support capabilities. This examination should also take into account technological developments such as sixth-generation fighter jets and dependence on manufacturers. However, any further procurement of F-35 jets to reach the originally planned number of 36 or more would have to be decided upon again in the coming years by Parliament and, if necessary, the electorate.