Swiss Admit Spat With US on Fighter Jet Price, Still Want F-35A
The Swiss government said Wednesday that a price was set in the purchase deal, but that US officials have now said that this is a 'misunderstanding' and the planes will cost more.
'A contract is a contract, one should think,' National Armaments Director Urs Loher told reporters in Bern. 'But with respect to the purchase of the F-35A, we are now facing a different reality. Despite a set price, Switzerland is confronted' with as much as $1.3 billion of additional costs, he said.
Switzerland didn't procure the fighter jets directly from Lockheed Martin, but via the US government, which is responsible for negotiating prices for the next production lines. The two countries have now started diplomatic talks to resolve the issue, Defense Minister Martin Pfister said.
The Defense Ministry plan sees the acquisition of 36 planes for 6 billion francs to replace old jets in the Swiss air force. In 2020, Swiss voters very narrowly approved the purchase with the price capped at that amount.
A report by public broadcaster SRF that costs will increase by more than 1 billion francs has previously stoked calls for a new debate in parliament or even another plebiscite. The purchase is also under attack due to the shift in US foreign policy, with left-wing politicians pushing for Switzerland to opt for a European supplier instead.
According to the statement, Switzerland is sticking with its plan to buy the F-35A and is aiming for a 'diplomatic solution.'
'From a military point of view, buying the F-35A is imperative,' Loher said. 'Withdrawing from the contract would only be considered as a very, very last resort.'
The deal isn't part of current trade talks with the US, Swiss President and Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter told reporters in Bern.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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Politically, it would breach constitutional limits and defy overwhelming public opinion, risking a crisis of legitimacy for any Ukrainian government that agreed to it. top videos View all The humanitarian consequences would also be immediate: hundreds of thousands of people in the Ukrainian-held parts of Donbas could be forced to flee. As Trump and Putin prepare to meet in Anchorage, the future of Donbas hangs in the balance, but Zelenskyy insists that no decision about it can be made without Ukraine at the table. About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @ More Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Donald Trump - Vladimir Putin donbas russia-ukraine conflict view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 14, 2025, 09:45 IST News explainers Why Zelenskyy Refuses To Cede East Ukraine Flashpoint Ahead Of Trump-Putin Alaska Talks Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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an hour ago
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