GENEVA

A Swiss lawmaker has urged the federal government to cancel its planned purchase of F-35A fighter jets from the US after Washington demanded additional funds, despite prior assurances of a fixed price.

Pierre-Alain Fridez, a member of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland and a long-time critic of the multibillion-franc deal, told Anadolu that the US approach to arms sales had always been transparent but that Switzerland deliberately tailored its procurement process to favor the F-35A, even though it was ill-suited to national defense needs.

"US procedures in terms of arms sales are clear," Fridez said in written remarks. "Armasuisse (the procurement organization for armaments of Switzerland) wanted to understand what suited them, as they were looking for a favorable price to push ahead with the F-35. Fixed price simply meant same price as the USA."

Switzerland agreed in 2021 to buy 36 F-35As from US defense contractor Lockheed Martin for CHF6 billion ($7.5 billion). Former Defense Minister Viola Amherd, who resigned in March 2025, repeatedly promised the public that the purchase would be locked in at a fixed cost.

However, the US Department of Defense recently informed Bern that higher inflation and material prices now necessitate more money -- potentially up to CHF1.3 billion ($1.6 billion) more.

According to the Pentagon, the "fixed price" applies only once aircraft production begins, not to the total acquisition package. The US has described the prior understanding as a "misunderstanding," and Switzerland is now pursuing a diplomatic solution, as the contract excludes legal action.

Fridez warned that proceeding with the acquisition would be a costly strategic error.

“Acquiring the F-35 -- an aircraft that is not ideal for air policing, which is Switzerland's actual need -- and moreover, the most expensive aircraft in the world, is a mistake," he said. "We must abandon this aircraft."

Instead, Fridez proposed a phased and cost-effective alternative similar to Austria's approach.

He advocated for a different approach that would begin with purchasing Leonardo's M-346 aircraft for training and air policing, following Austria's example. He also suggested extending the service life of Switzerland's 30 F/A-18 jets and, in the longer term, acquiring a European-made fighter jet such as the Rafale.

The lawmaker criticized the original selection process, claiming that it was manipulated to secure the F-35A win.

"We must give up this aircraft as a priority, having chosen it after a controlled procedure: those responsible for the acquisition organized the acquisition procedure to favor the F-35," he said.

Switzerland's government continues to insist that the price was fixed and has not officially withdrawn from the deal. However, growing public and political pressure -- especially in light of the unexpected cost increases and transparency concerns -- may force it to reconsider its options.

The controversy adds another chapter to Switzerland's long-debated defense modernization, where questions of neutrality, fiscal responsibility and strategic fit continue to divide the political landscape.