Overview

• Swiss officials said that inflation, commodity price shifts and a 39 percent U.S. tariff could drive the F-35A purchase cost 650 million to 1.3 billion francs above the originally expected 6 billion-franc price.
• Negotiations between Defense Minister Martin Pfister and U.S. counterparts ended without agreement on a fixed price and left Bern unable to cap potential cost overruns.
• Defense Minister Pfister indicated that the government may cut its order of 36 jets as it reassesses air-defense needs and budget constraints.
• First deliveries were scheduled to begin in 2027 and conclude by 2030, raising concerns that delays or reductions could create a capability gap in Swiss air defenses.
• The pricing dispute has prompted allies such as Spain and Canada to reassess U.S. defense purchases and has fueled support for European-made fighter programs.