Switzerland’s planned acquisition of F‑35A fighter jets has become increasingly controversial after the Trump administration imposed high tariffs on the Alpine nation, prompting a reassessment of the program’s cost and scope. While several NATO members, including Denmark, Romania, and Germany, have expanded their acquisition of the Lockheed Martin F‑35 Lightning II, and Spain has opted to cancel its planned purchase, Switzerland is choosing a middle‑ground approach. Instead of abandoning the project, Bern is scaling back its original order.
Under the Air2030 program, Switzerland selected the F‑35A to replace its aging F/A‑18 Hornet fleet, beating out competitors such as the Eurofighter Typhoon. The initial plan called for 36 F‑35As, and a contract for that number was signed in 2022. However, at a recent meeting of the Swiss Federal Council, Switzerland’s collective head of state, it was determined that it was no longer “financially viable to maintain the originally planned [order] of 36 F‑35As.” The Council instructed the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) to procure “the maximum possible number” of jets within the already approved budget of 6 billion Swiss francs (about $7.5 billion).
The exact number of F‑35As Switzerland will ultimately receive remains unclear. According to the Federal Council, talks with the United States revealed that Bern cannot enforce what it considered a fixed-price contract for the aircraft. U.S. officials cited higher costs driven by inflation, rising raw‑material prices, and other factors, describing the fixed‑price understanding as a misunderstanding rather than a binding commitment.
The uncertainty highlights a broader reality: military aircraft rarely have a simple per‑unit price. As The War Zone explained, Finland’s deal for 64 F‑35As is valued at $9.4 billion, but that figure includes infrastructure, weapons, maintenance equipment, spare parts, training, and other systems and services. For the F‑35 in particular, these supporting costs are described as “uniquely high.”
The F‑35 decision in Switzerland has triggered intense domestic debate. Critics launched a “Stop F‑35” initiative, questioning both the program’s cost and the aircraft’s suitability for a neutral country. Political pressure increased after President Donald Trump imposed a 39% tariff on Switzerland, which led some lawmakers to call for withdrawing from the deal altogether. Although a compromise was reached, by August it was already evident that the order size would be reduced rather than maintained at 36 jets.
Despite the scaling back, Lockheed Martin has confirmed that work on the Swiss aircraft is underway. In a statement to Breaking Defense, the company said that components for Switzerland’s first F‑35s have already entered production, with major assembly due to begin early next year and deliveries planned from 2027 onward. The manufacturer emphasized its continued partnership with the Swiss government and industry and reiterated its commitment to delivering the F‑35A Lightning II to Switzerland.
Globally, more than 1,100 F‑35s have been delivered to the U.S. military, allies, and foreign partners, underlining the aircraft’s central role in the air forces of many NATO and partner nations. Switzerland’s recalibrated order reflects both its budget constraints and the political friction surrounding the program, rather than a complete break with the F‑35 platform.
