Defense Switzerland would have to bear the costs of withdrawing from F-35 purchase
If Switzerland were to withdraw from the procurement contract for 36 fighter jets from the USA, it would have to bear the costs. This is what the Federal Council writes in response to concerns about the purchase raised by Parliament. It assumes that the USA will stick to its commitments.
10.03.2025, 16:57
SDA
Switzerland can cancel the contract at any time until the fighter jets are delivered, the Federal Council wrote in an answer to the National Council's question and answer session on Monday. There is no provision for a contractual penalty. However, Switzerland would have to bear all costs resulting from a termination. It is not possible to estimate these costs.
So far, Switzerland has made payments of around 700 million francs for the fighter jets. In total, the procurement costs around CHF 6 billion. However, in the words of the Federal Council, terminating the contract would mean "that Switzerland would considerably weaken its defense capability." It would no longer be able to protect its airspace effectively from 2030 onwards.
The Federal Council assumes that the USA will adhere to its legal obligations when procuring the 36 F-35 fighter jets and also to the fixed price agreed. The new fighter jets are central to Switzerland's defense, and the country is dependent on other countries for arms purchases.
However, the Federal Council wants to reduce this dependency as far as possible - with domestic purchases - or diversify foreign suppliers. These issues are to be incorporated into the armaments policy strategy, which should be available by mid-2025.
On the question of whether he would still buy a fighter jet from the USA today, the Federal Council noted that this type of aircraft would be the most widely used fighter aircraft in Europe at the end of the 1920s. Before and after Switzerland, several countries in Europe had opted for the F-35.
The US is one of Switzerland's most important partners outside Europe, the Federal Council wrote in response to concerns that the US government controls the updates to the software required to operate the aircraft. The Federal Council is committed to dialog and cooperation with the USA. Switzerland's independence must be preserved in the process.
