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Defense · F-35 · Lockheed Martin · Switzerland
Switzerland has announced a reduction in its order for Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the United States, citing rising costs.
The decision aims to keep the procurement within the original 6 billion Swiss franc ($7.54 billion) budget, which was narrowly approved by public referendum in 2020. Bern initially planned to acquire 36 jets at what it believed was a fixed price, but the U.S. later clarified this was a misunderstanding.
The Swiss government has instructed its defense ministry to purchase the maximum possible number of F-35As within the allocated budget, acknowledging that maintaining the original quantity of 36 jets is no longer financially feasible. Despite this reduction, Switzerland reiterated its commitment to the F-35 program.
The government also noted a positive development in trade relations, with U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods exports recently reduced from 39% to 15%. While the immediate impact is a smaller order for Lockheed Martin, the Swiss cabinet may still explore options to reach the original target of 36 jets, pending further examination of defense needs.
This move underscores Switzerland's fiscal discipline and highlights the complexities of international defense contracts and fluctuating costs.
