Switzerland to Scale Back F-35 Fighter Jet Order Amid Price Hikes

Switzerland is clipping its own wings. In a decisive move that underscores the volatility of the global arms market, the federal government has slashed its order for US-made F-35A fighter jets from 36 down to 30. The decision, announced Friday, comes as a direct response to aggressive price hikes from Washington, forcing Bern to rethink its aerial dominance strategy.

Defence Minister Martin Pfister did not mince words, confirming that the "F-35 question is settled today." The reduction is a stark admission that even well-funded neutrality has its limits. While the F-35A—chosen in 2021 over European rivals like the Rafale and Eurofighter—remains the cornerstone of Swiss air defense, the fleet will be significantly leaner than promised.

The government is now scrambling to finalize negotiations with Lockheed Martin to secure the reduced number of approximately 30 jets. This pivot highlights a critical friction point: Bern refuses to be bullied by surging raw material costs and inflation, choosing fiscal discipline over maximum firepower. The message to the US is clear—Switzerland will buy, but it will not write a blank check.

The numbers are staggering. To maintain the original fleet of 36 aircraft, Switzerland would have needed to inject an additional 1.1 billion francs into the deal—a financial bridge too far for the Federal Council. Instead, the government is playing a high-stakes game of budgetary Tetris to stay within the mandate approved by voters in 2020.

The original referendum capped spending at just over 6 billion francs ($7.7 billion). However, inflation has ravaged purchasing power. To secure even the reduced fleet of 30 jets, the government is now forced to ask parliament for an extra credit of 394 million francs ($500 million).

"The move would keep the programme within the maximum financial envelope authorised by voters," officials stated, noting that the indexed ceiling now sits at 6.429 billion francs. This financial maneuvering reveals the harsh reality of modern military procurement: the price of security is skyrocketing, and the Swiss franc is being stretched to its absolute limit to cover the shortfall.

While the jet order shrinks, the threats facing the Alpine nation are multiplying at an alarming rate. The government has painted a grim picture of the current security climate, declaring that "Switzerland is not sufficiently equipped to counter the most likely threats." The days of passive neutrality are over; the new reality is hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns.

With the war in Ukraine raging and a second front opening in the Middle East, the geopolitical temperature is reaching a boiling point. Defence Minister Pfister warned that any escalation could impact Switzerland directly through long-range attacks or espionage.

This is no longer just about guarding airspace; it is about survival in a fractured Europe. The government's admission that the "global security situation... [has] deteriorated" serves as a wake-up call. The reduced F-35 fleet will still need to shoulder the burden of protecting a nation that suddenly feels far less isolated from the world's conflicts than it did a decade ago.

In a further blow to Swiss defense planning, reliance on American supply chains has hit a critical snag. Washington has informed Bern that the delivery of five Patriot surface-to-air missile units will be delayed by a crushing four to five years. The reason? The hardware is being reprioritized for the frontlines in Ukraine.

This delay has forced a strategic pivot. While Switzerland is sticking to the Patriot procurement for its long-range capabilities, it can no longer afford to put all its eggs in one basket. The government is now actively scouting for a European surface-to-air defense system to plug the gap.

"This reduces dependence on a single supply chain or a single country," the government asserted. This move towards European interoperability signals a significant shift in Swiss defense policy—diversifying suppliers to ensure that when the next crisis hits, the Swiss Armed Forces aren't left waiting on a backorder list while tensions mount on the border.

The bill for security is coming due, and it is the Swiss taxpayer who will pick up the tab. The military estimates it needs a colossal 31 billion francs to adequately strengthen the country's defense posture against modern threats. To finance this massive overhaul, the government is proposing a temporary but significant VAT increase of 0.8 percentage points.

This "armament fund" is intended to run for 10 years, ensuring the army has the liquidity to modernize rapidly. The proposal is set to go to a referendum in mid-2027, with the tax hike taking effect in 2028 if approved.

This is a defining moment for the Swiss public. They are being asked to directly bankroll a harder, more resilient Switzerland. With the F-35 fleet cut and Patriot missiles delayed, the government is betting that the population will vote with their wallets to secure the nation's future in an increasingly dangerous world.