• Swiss government describes US price increase request as 'misunderstanding,' says journalist Balz Rigendinger

AMSTERDAM / ISTANBUL

Experts believe that the US seeking higher prices on its F-35 fighter jet deal with Switzerland could prompt other countries to pursue alternative jets.

Kim Leclerc, a former senior adviser to the ministers who are members of the Cabinet Committee on Defense Procurement in Canada, told Anadolu that even a reliable ally such as Switzerland facing contract issues could influence potential buyers.

Countries yet to receive their aircraft, like Canada and Portugal, may rethink their options, Leclerc said.

He explained that they could question whether to continue with the F-35, extend the life of their current planes while waiting for the new generation developed by Europeans, or purchase 4.5-generation aircraft such as the French Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, or Saab Gripen.

Leclerc noted that fewer countries buying the F-35 would raise costs for all buyers, as development expenses are expected to be shared among all purchasers.

He noted that one of the F-35 program’s core problems is its scope. “They want to address all the issues and specifications that everybody wants, and it’s really hard to do in a single plane. And we saw that the cost since the beginning of (F-35) program has increased,” he said.

Leclerc underscored that Switzerland is not the only country facing F-35 issues, explaining that Canada also held lengthy negotiations and even briefly canceled its application before returning to the F-35 purchase.

"We know that in Canada that they are actually reviewing the F-35 assessments. The auditor generals have identified that the plane will cost way more than it was expected. I think it's 50% more. It's not even the price that the Americans will ask to the Canadian government," he added.

Echoing Leclerc, Swiss journalist Balz Rigendinger also told Anadolu that the US demand for a price increase between "650 million and 1.3 billion Swiss francs" on F-35 fighter jets from the Swiss government could cause similar issues for other European countries with contracts.

Rigendinger noted that the Swiss government described the US price increase request as a "misunderstanding."

"The US side is quite clear that the contracts have always been written about estimated costs and that the fixed prices are only where the procurement from the US government at Lockheed Martin takes place," he explained.

Rigendinger also noted that Switzerland is now trying to renegotiate, stressing that its chances of winning the dispute are "small."

"There are calls to stop the whole procurement. There are calls to renegotiate or restart the whole procurement," he further said.

He stressed that the opposition parties want to seize the "opportunity" to switch to a European product.

Switzerland approved the F-35 funding by the narrowest of margins — 50.1% — without specifying which jet would be procured.

“So, it was already a clear division on if Switzerland needs a fighter jet at all or not," Rigendinger said.

Rigendinger further warned that other European countries may face similar issues, noting that high weapon demand and the timeline involved in switching suppliers taking years — time most do not have — letting defense companies dictate prices.