The Air Force Chief contradicted the Federal Council

Federal adviser Martin Pfister claims that Switzerland is. Therefore, contractually required to implement the arms agreement with the United States.Image: keystone

Bern assures that the purchase of the F-35 is essential. However, doubts go up. Moreover, According to several sources. Furthermore, the air force chief Peter Merz has admitted during a meeting that there are many other options.

Despite an additional cost of up to 1.3 billion francs, the Federal Council remains on its line: Switzerland will buy the F-35. Meanwhile, The Minister of Defense, Martin Pfister, judges this “essential” purchase. Nevertheless, According to its department. Consequently, without this plane, the Swiss airspace will no longer be protected from 2032, the date on which the current F/A-18 fleet has reached its limit of use.

For the Federal Council, it is unrealistic to relaunch a purchase procedure and to assess other planes. Therefore, Martin Pfister underlines that such a process would last approximately three years, between call for tenders, evaluation and political decision. Furthermore, This would compromise the scheduled schedule to replace the F/A-18. Furthermore,

Extend the use of F/A-18? It would be possible – Air force chief contradicted federal

But even within the National Council Security Commission. critical voices about the purchase of the F-35 presented as “without alternative” are multiplying.

During an extraordinary session of the latter. on July 2, 2025, Peter Merz, Air Force leader (57 years old), would have admitted, according to several members, that the F/A-18 fleet could be prolonged “without problem” of a few years. Such a practice is not uncommon and also exists in other countries, especially in the United States, reports Blick.

Air Force leader Peter Merz would have admitted. that the F/A-18 fleet could be extended “without problem” for a air force chief contradicted federal few years.Image: keystone

The Commission estimates that a. budget of 800 million to 1 billion francs would be enough to extend the fleet of F/A-18 of around 1000 hours of flight. This would allow them to be used until 2035, or even 2037. According to several members of the Commission. this would give time to examine in depth European alternatives to the F-35, written Blick.

Anger and criticism

One of the members considers: “We would have time to examine a European alternative.” Critics against the position of the Federal Council also grow in political debate. An elected official paid into the safety themes assures her:

Another member entrusts to Blick: “It annoys me when the Federal Council says that the F-35 is essential. Then we discover that this is not true. As with the fixed price: what can we still believe? ”

Purchase maintained

Despite growing doubts about the reliability of arms contracts with Washington. the Federal Council maintains the purchase of the F-35. The Pentagon has just repelled the delivery of the Patriots ordered systems. explaining that, given the world situation, Ukraine was priority.

In specialized safety circles, the federal council line is increasingly criticized. “He seems to want air force chief contradicted federal to save his face and stubbornly clings to Plan A,” confides an elected official to Blick. For its detractors, it is time to review the strategy, including by considering European alternatives.

(THE)

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