US F-35 jets could cost Switzerland 'more than CH1 billion extra'

The United States is trying to charge Switzerland up to CHF1.5 billion more for 36 F-35 fighter jets that were ordered in 2021, according to Swiss public broadcaster SRF. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Former Defense Minister Viola Amherd always asserted that Switzerland would receive the stealth jets at a fixed price of around CHF6 billion. But SRF research now shows that the US sees things differently and is demanding significantly more. A referendum in September 2020 was extremely close: 50.1% of voters approved the purchase of new fighter jets. In the voting booklet, the Federal Council stated at the time that "a maximum of six billion Swiss francs has been earmarked." After the government decided in June 2021 in favor of the US F-35 fighter jet, then Defense Minister Viola Amherd assured that the US would guarantee a fixed price. Freelance journalist Beni Gafner has been covering the Swiss Armed Forces for years. He has spoken with various sources ...