Bern Cuts Fighter Jet Purchase Due To Budget Constraints
The Swiss Federal Council has announced that it will reduce its planned purchase of Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets due to rising costs and budget constraints. The original budget of CHF 6 billion ($6.8 billion) was approved by voters in a 2020 referendum, but the US government’s dispute over the fixed-price arrangement has led to cost disagreements. The decision to reduce the number of aircraft is preferable to reopening the question of additional funding, which would likely trigger renewed domestic opposition. The F-35A introduction timeline remains unchanged, with deliveries still expected to begin in 2027, as reported by AeroTime.