After savory customs taxes, 39%, Washington embarrassments the Swiss government again. The purchase contract of the F-35 signed in 2022 is not at a fixed price. Washington warned Berne that inflation, the rise in raw material prices and the increase in the energy price led to an increase in the final bill. The additional cost could vary between $ 1.7 billion and $ 5 billion. The Swiss Defense Department, however, ensures that such a clause was well provided for in the purchase contract.
The political crisis is tangible, the purchase of F-35s having always been a criticized choice. The Greens and the Socialist Party summoned the Federal Council on Wednesday, August 13, to give up the purchase of the F-35A. Balthasar Glättli, national green advisor proposed the suspension of payments linked to the acquisition of the F-35 and asked for an expertise from the Federal Justice Office on cost surpassions of the F-35. These two proposals were rejected. In his foreword, the national councilor argues that the United States is no longer a reliable partner and that Switzerland should turn to its European allies.
Socialists also demand the cancellation of the signed contract. According to Pierre-Alain Fridez, Swiss national councilor, “the F-35 are not only a financial disaster, they make Switzerland also dependent for decades of the United States, which have become unpredictable, in matters of security policy”.
The special relationship between Bern and Washington, a myth?
The right is embarrassed in front of this new hitch to the special relationship with Washington but still supports the purchase of the American fighter plane.
For the moment, the Swiss government maintains its order. According to the Federal Council, Switzerland cannot impose a fixed price.
This new political crisis around F-35 is far from harmless. It highlights the so-called “privileged” relationship that Switzerland has with the United States-or at least the idea that Berne has-a perception today shaken by the recent decisions of the Trump administration.
