According to the government, Switzerland will not request an additional loan of about CHF1 billion to maintain the original order size. Instead, it plans to seek a smaller credit of CHF394 million to cover higher costs caused by inflation and other factors.
In December, Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister had already indicated that purchasing the full number of 36 aircraft might not be possible within the approved budget. The government confirmed this assessment in a recent statement.
“The government is renouncing the original number of 36 aircraft,” it wrote. At the same time, it emphasized that canceling the purchase entirely is not an option given the current security environment.
Officials said the government is seeking a compromise that maintains the program within the limits approved by voters. The aim is to acquire the maximum possible number of aircraft without taking on an additional billion-franc loan.
According to government estimates, purchasing the full order of 36 aircraft would require about CHF1.1 billion in additional funding. Without that extra credit, the defense ministry currently believes it will be able to procure about 30 F-35 fighter jets.
The exact number of aircraft will only be determined after the United States renegotiates contracts with manufacturers and suppliers for upcoming production batches. These negotiations will affect the final pricing for aircraft and engines.
Even with a reduced order, the Swiss government says additional funding will still be required. Parliament is expected to consider the proposed CHF394 million credit as part of the 2026 Armed Forces Dispatch to offset increased costs linked to inflation, rising commodity prices and other factors.
Officials say the additional credit is consistent with the financial framework approved by voters. The government stated that the request reflects the will expressed in the 2020 referendum that authorized the fighter jet program.
Reducing the number of aircraft could have negative consequences for the Swiss Air Force’s operational capability. The government noted that a smaller fleet would affect both sustainability and overall performance.
According to an assessment by defense ministry experts, Switzerland would need between 55 and 70 modern fighter aircraft to ensure comprehensive air defense against current threats. The planned purchase of F-35 jets forms part of the country’s broader effort to modernize its air defense capabilities.
Source: swissinfo.ch
