Switzerland to Scale Back F-35 Fighter Jet Order Amid Price Hikes
The Swiss government plans to reduce its order for US-made F-35A fighter jets from 36 to 30, citing increased costs and a need to repurpose its broader defense strategy.

Key Takeaways
- Switzerland is reducing its F-35A fighter jet order from 36 to approximately 30 aircraft.
- Maintaining the original order of 36 jets would have required an additional 1.1 billion Swiss francs.
- The delivery of Patriot surface-to-air missile systems from the US is delayed by four to five years.
- The Swiss government estimates a need for 31 billion Swiss francs to strengthen overall defense.
- A temporary VAT increase of 0.8 percentage points is proposed for a 10-year period.
By The Numbers
They Said
"The F-35 question is settled today."
"The global security situation and Switzerland's geopolitical environment have deteriorated in recent years."