Two Lockheed Martin F-35 combat aircraft during a Dutch Air Force exercise. Switzerland wishes to acquire 36 planes of this type.Image: Imago
The Federal Council seems to want to go in the direction of Washington in the customs conflict by buying more weapons. Military associations validate the idea. According to them, Switzerland should order more F-35 combat aircraft.
12.08.2025, 20:2912.08.2025, 20:29
Lea Hartmann / ch media
How should Switzerland react to Washington customs sanctions? For the left, the government must retaliate and cancel the purchase of F-35 combat aircraft made in the United States. Voices are up to the bourgeois camp to envisage a response in armament policy.
Andrea Gmür, councilor for the Lucern States of the Center and president of the Commission of the Security Policy of the Council of States, told the SRF:
“Let us not exclude the possibility of backing up and ultimately bet on the French gusts.”
“Ineffective” measures against Trump
These reflections have a lot of trouble going through military circles. Stefan Holenstein is convinced that such countermeasures are “not only untenable and displaced, but also completely ineffective towards the United States”. This militia officer presides over the Association of Swiss Military Societies (ASMS), which includes associations of officers and non-commissioned officers.
Stefan Holenstein, president of the association of Swiss military societies.Image: Keystone
Stefan Holenstein does not only require the maintenance of the purchase of the F-35, he requires an increase in the fleet. Instead of 36, Switzerland, according to him, should acquire 48 machines, one third more than expected. Objective: to encourage Donald Trump to reduce customs duties.
In addition, he invites Bern to give in to the conflict on the fixed price. At the end of June, the Minister of Defense, Martin Pfister announced that the acquisition could cost up to 7.3 billion francs, instead of the 6 billion articulated so far. The Americans believe that there was a “misunderstanding” about a fixed price, however agreed from the point of view of Switzerland.
“We cannot say goodbye to America”
The officer sees a real opportunity in this crisis. Its organization has long demanded more combat aircraft, and an army budget revised upwards. According to him, this would decisively extend the resistance capacity of the Air Force. A win-win situation for Switzerland and the United States, but with a highest cost.
In her eyes, Switzerland must above all show its European partners that it takes seriously the rearmament expected for a long time and that it contributes to world security architecture.
Military associations criticize the Federal Council, which would have late to develop a Plan B. They also deplore the lack of responsiveness of the Confederation President, who had not thought about her telephone conversation with Trump either. “Now there’s no point in arguing,” says Stefan Holenstein.
“Better to be good will and position yourself as a solid trading partner”
(Translated from German by Valentine Zenker)
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