Switzerland Cuts F-35 Fighter Jet Order to ~30 Amid Rising Costs, Sticks to Voter-Approved Budget Cap

Switzerland is reducing its planned purchase of F-35A fighter jets from 36 to approximately 30 due to rising costs.

The decision adheres to a strict CHF 6 billion budget limit set by a 2020 national referendum, which the government chose to honor over maintaining the original quantity.

As a result, the average cost per jet has increased by nearly 28%, reflecting global inflation and changes in the U.S. F-35 program.

Switzerland has decided to reduce its order of F-35A fighter jets from 36 to approximately 30, sticking firmly to a voter-approved budget cap despite rising costs.

The core of this decision lies in a clash between a fixed budget and escalating expenses. In 2020, Swiss voters narrowly approved a strict CHF 6 billion spending limit for new fighters. This created a financial 'red line' that the government could not cross, making the budget the ultimate constraint.

Several factors then combined to make the original plan unfeasible. First, global inflation and rising raw material costs drove up the price of the jets. Second, the United States, the seller, could not guarantee a fixed price. This was due to its own program challenges, such as delays in key technology upgrades (like the TR-3/Block-4) and cuts to its own F-35 orders. Fewer jets being built globally means weaker economies of scale, making each plane more expensive for all buyers.

With the U.S. unable to lock in the 2022 price, the Swiss Federal Council faced a dilemma: ask Parliament for billions more, which was politically toxic, or buy fewer jets. They chose the latter, honoring the referendum's mandate. The challenge shifted from managing the price to managing the quantity of aircraft.

This means Switzerland is now paying significantly more per jet—an increase of nearly 28%. However, by sticking with the F-35 platform, the country maintains its security strategy and interoperability with allies, even with a smaller fleet. The final number of jets to be purchased will be confirmed by the third quarter of 2027.

F-35A: A specific variant of the F-35 fighter jet, designed for conventional takeoff and landing. It is one of the most advanced stealth aircraft in the world.
Budget Cap: A strict, legally-binding limit on the total amount of money that can be spent on a project. In this case, it was set by a national vote.
Economies of Scale: A cost advantage experienced when the level of output increases. For the F-35, fewer orders worldwide mean the cost per jet goes up for all buyers.

Switzerland Cuts F-35 Fighter Jet Order to ~30 Amid Rising Costs, Sticks to Voter-Approved Budget Cap

Switzerland is reducing its planned purchase of F-35A fighter jets from 36 to approximately 30 due to rising costs.

The decision adheres to a strict CHF 6 billion budget limit set by a 2020 national referendum, which the government chose to honor over maintaining the original quantity.

As a result, the average cost per jet has increased by nearly 28%, reflecting global inflation and changes in the U.S. F-35 program.

Switzerland has decided to reduce its order of F-35A fighter jets from 36 to approximately 30, sticking firmly to a voter-approved budget cap despite rising costs.

F-35A: A specific variant of the F-35 fighter jet, designed for conventional takeoff and landing. It is one of the most advanced stealth aircraft in the world.
Budget Cap: A strict, legally-binding limit on the total amount of money that can be spent on a project. In this case, it was set by a national vote.
Economies of Scale: A cost advantage experienced when the level of output increases. For the F-35, fewer orders worldwide mean the cost per jet goes up for all buyers.