Defense Fixed price for F-35 fighter jets disputed between Switzerland and the USA
The price Switzerland has to pay for the new F-35 fighter jets is disputed. The Federal Council is still assuming a fixed price of around six billion Swiss francs. However, the USA is talking about a misunderstanding.
25.06.2025, 15:30
SDA
Switzerland had contractually agreed a fixed price with the USA for the procurement of the F-35A fighter jet, the Federal Council wrote on Wednesday. Expert opinions from various law firms and the US embassy in Bern have publicly confirmed this.
However, the Joint Program Office (JPO) responsible for F-35 projects in the USA indicated in August 2024 that there could be higher costs, according to the Federal Council. In February, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) informed the Federal Council in writing that it considered the fixed price to be a misunderstanding.
USA named amount
The then Defense Minister Viola Amherd informed the Federal Council of this in March. However, no figures were given at the time. In mid-June, the USA confirmed this view to the Department of Defense (DDPS) and provided a figure for the first time. However, the Federal Council did not disclose an amount in its communication.
The DSCA believes that Switzerland must bear the additional costs. It justifies this with the high inflation in the USA in recent years and the sharp rise in commodity and energy prices in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
The Federal Council is maintaining the validity of the fixed price and still intends to purchase the 36 F-35 fighter jets. It argues that Switzerland would no longer be able to secure its airspace or guarantee the safety of its population from 2032 if it were to do without the aircraft.
Switzerland procures the aircraft via the US Foreign Military Sales program. As this precludes a legal settlement of the dispute, a diplomatic solution is required, according to the Federal Council.
Accordingly, it intends to continue diplomatic talks with the USA. It has instructed the DDPS to submit a concrete implementation proposal for dealing with the fixed price.
