Switzerland and the United States are currently in disagreement over the final cost of acquiring 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets, which were ordered to replace Switzerland’s aging fleet. While Switzerland insists on the previously agreed fixed price of just over six billion Swiss francs (around $7.5 billion), the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) is pushing for additional charges.
The U.S. agency attributes the increase to inflation, as well as rising costs of raw materials and energy following the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, Switzerland maintains that the original price remains valid, citing contractual agreements and prior confirmations from the U.S. side.
DSCA reportedly informed Switzerland earlier this year that the “fixed price” may have been a misunderstanding, though it did not specify the exact cost increase. Estimates suggest potential added expenses could range from $650 million to $1.3 billion, depending on future U.S. tariffs, inflation trends, and global uncertainties.
