Switzerland is reviewing plans to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter and may reduce the size of the order as rising costs force adjustments to the country’s defense program.

defense Minister Martin Pfister said the government is now considering purchasing about 30 aircraft rather than the 36 originally planned. The change follows negotiations with the United States over the final price of the fighters, which Switzerland selected in 2021 to replace its ageing fleet.

According to Pfister, buying the originally planned 36 aircraft would require an additional 1.1 billion Swiss francs due to higher production costs linked to inflation and increases in energy and raw material prices. Switzerland wants to keep the total program close to the budget of just over six billion francs approved by voters in a 2020 referendum.

The final number of aircraft will depend on ongoing negotiations between the U.S. government and Lockheed Martin.

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The F-35A is already operated by the U.S. Air Force and several European countries. Switzerland chose the aircraft in June 2021 after evaluating competing proposals including the Airbus Eurofighter, Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and Dassault Aviation’s Rafale.

Swiss Air Force F/A-18C

At the same time, the Swiss government is reassessing its defense posture amid what it described as a worsening security environment in Europe.

Officials said the country is examining the possibility of acquiring a European surface-to-air defense system that would complement the Patriot air defense system already ordered from the United States, whose delivery has been delayed.

Switzerland has long maintained a policy of military neutrality but retains a well-equipped armed force and compulsory military service for men.

The government said developments such as the war in Ukraine, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and espionage activities have increased pressure on the country to adapt its defense structure.

Authorities warned that Switzerland is currently not fully prepared to counter what it considers the most likely threats, including hybrid warfare and long-range attacks. Officials also pointed to earlier defense budget cuts, rising procurement costs and long delivery times in the global arms market as factors complicating modernization efforts.