Switzerland’s F-35 Deal with U.S. Turns into National Scandal Over Rising Costs

Reported by Kokcha News Agency:
The French newspaper Le Monde has reported that Switzerland’s 2022 deal to purchase 36 F-35 fighter jets from the United States has turned into a national scandal due to rising costs. Initially, the deal was announced at 6 billion Swiss francs, but recent revelations suggest that the final cost will be much higher.

The Swiss government has implied that it was misled by the U.S., claiming that the agreement signed on September 19, 2022, included a fixed price. However, the U.S. administration has now stated that there was a misunderstanding regarding the “fixed price” clause.

Deliveries and Rising Costs
The F-35 jets are scheduled to be delivered to the Swiss Air Force between 2027 and 2030. However, Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister recently admitted that the deal could cost taxpayers an additional 1 billion Swiss francs, leading to public outrage.

Observers have speculated that the additional costs could even double, reigniting debates over the deal’s transparency and fairness.

Controversy Over Aircraft Selection
The controversy dates back to Switzerland’s decision to choose the F-35 over the French Rafale fighter jets, which were reportedly favored by Swiss Air Force pilots. Swiss MP Pierre-Alain Fridez has accused the procurement process of being rigged in favor of the American aircraft.

Fridez claimed that the selection criteria were tailored specifically to favor the F-35, and the “fixed price” myth was fabricated to justify choosing the more expensive American jets over the Rafale. He also alleged numerous violations of transparency rules during the selection process, calling the situation a “real state scandal.”