Defense Audit Office criticizes handling of credit for fighter jet infrastructure
The infrastructure for the new fighter jets in Switzerland costs more than Parliament has approved so far. The Swiss Federal Audit Office criticizes the handling of the cost ceiling and additional costs. The DDPS wants to communicate more clearly in future.
21.01.2026, 23:00
SDA
New hangars have to be built at three military airfields for the new F-35 fighter jets. Rooms for simulators and IT infrastructure are also required. It is known that the costs for these adaptations are higher than initially assumed.
A cost ceiling of CHF 120 million was set for this in 2018, the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) wrote on Wednesday, before the decision for the US F-35 fighter jet.
According to the SFAO, the specific construction requirements were not available when the credit application was submitted. The costs have since amounted to around CHF 200 million. The DDPS replies that the approved credit was based on preliminary projects. The requirements for the buildings only became clear with the decision in favor of the F-35.
The Confederation wants to communicate more clearly in future. A supplementary credit is to be requested with the next army dispatch.
