The additional cost of the Swiss purchasing program is estimated between 650 million and 1.3 billion Swiss francs for an initial overall envelope of some 6 billion francs (6.38 billion euros).
(illustration) ( AFP / LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA )
Despite unpleasant surprises on the final invoice, Switzerland “maintains its acquisition project” for American fighting aircraft F-35, despite the absolute refusal of the Trump administration to transiger.
The Federal Council “intends to protect Switzerland against air threats with this plane which has a significant technological advance compared to other devices and which is now widespread in European countries,” said the Swiss government in a statement on Wednesday, August 13.
The government therefore confirms this controversial choice due to the many technical problems encountered by the F-35 program in the United States despite an additional cost of 650 million to 1.3 billion Swiss francs for an initial overall envelope of some 6 billion francs (6.38 billion euros).
In June, the Minister of Defense Martin Pfister had mentioned the assumption of buying less than the 36 devices planned
To stay in financial nails approved by Referendum in September 2020. At the start of the week, the Minister had suggested a turnaround, evoking possibilities of buying more American weapons to spare the price wrath of the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, 39% customs duties
Deliveries must start in 2027 and while waiting for the Council in charge of the future Swiss Air Force commander to scrink the report on “the future of air defense” published in 2017. The divisional (general) Christian Oppliger will have to determine what remains valid in this document and will be responsible for re -evaluating the equipment of air defense “taking into account the financial situation and security policy”.
The criticisms of many elected officials and the press on the management of this file have been added to those more recent linked to the camouflet inflicted on Switzerland and its leaders by President Donald Trump. He imposed 39% of punitive customs duties on Swiss products imported into the United States, which is more the day of the Swiss National Day.
Project adopted in extremis
It is one of the highest rates sent by the American president who may weigh heavily on the economy of the small alpine country very oriented towards export. The Swiss had given their white singing to a very short majority of just over 50% to an envelope of 6 billion francs for the country to have a new fleet, the devices in service F/A-18 arriving at the end of life around 2030.
During the choice of the F-35, the Swiss government said that the American plane was by far the best, at the lowest price of all the competitors in the running for the contract (Rafale, F/A-18 and Eurofighter).
