Swiss F-35 procurement scandal deepens as secret US memo reveals cost risks

In late 2024 the Swiss defence department obtained a US non-paper stating that the F-35 contract might incur additional expenses, a fact later. Shortly after the new year, programme manager Darko Savic resigned from Armasuisse, and Federal Council member Viola Amherd declared she would leave office at the end of March, with the army chief and air force chief also stepping down.

The commission found that Savic had been the main architect of the fixed-price narrative, despite US officials explicitly rejecting the notion of a guaranteed price. The report also highlighted procedural shortcomings, including reliance on external lawyers with high hourly rates and a lack of internal legal review. The defence ministry has taken note of the findings and will respond by December, while no official correction of the fixed-price claim has been made.