The fighter jet wonder of Bern

It should be the five and the Weggli: the stealth jet F-35, which Switzerland wants to buy, is not only the best fighter, but also the cheapest: 36 aircraft should cost Switzerland 6.035 billion francs. Secretary of State for Defense Viola Amherd (60) hardly misses an opportunity to drum up publicity for the American aviator.

For many, the offer is too good to be true. After all, Switzerland has not always spoken well when it comes to purchasing weapons. Even the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) doubts whether the fixed price for the aircraft is actually guaranteed. The Ministry of Defense (VBS) insists. Even the US Embassy in Bern Amherd rushed to help and reaffirmed the fixed price.

The result of the negotiations is not only surprising to us – our German neighbors are even more surprised. Because the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64) also wants the same stealth jet as soon as possible. Various tender conditions have now been leaked: Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht (57) wants to order 35 machines including armaments. Cost point: no less than 9.99 billion euros.

Berlin pays 286 million per jet, the federal government 167 million

In Germany, the much-criticized arms deal is causing red heads. “What’s going on with the defense minister?” asks Joachim Weber, a security policy expert at the University of Bonn. The price quoted was “ridiculously overpriced”. He asks the question “whether all actors in political Berlin are still able to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them”, criticizes Weber in the magazine “Focus Online”.

Weber calculates that Germany will pay more than 286 million euros per jet for the “prestige armaments project of the Scholz government”, with service, maintenance and subsequent upgrades. In comparison: Switzerland pays no less than 167 million per plane for a comparable package. Weber’s conclusion: “But Switzerland can do some purchasing.”

The war caused prices to rise

SVP State Councilor Werner Salzmann (60) also concludes that Amherd’s DDPS has negotiated well with the US. However, the two purchase packages are difficult to compare without knowing all the details. However, several factors may play a role.

“It is clear that with the war in Ukraine, the demand for weapons has increased significantly – and with it prices,” emphasizes the chairman of the Security Policy Committee of the Council of States. However, Switzerland had conducted its negotiations long before that. And set the agreed prices. Meanwhile, there is also the exchange rate, which has developed to the disadvantage of Germany.

“I don’t believe in Santa Claus”

On the other hand, SP security politician Priska Seiler Graf (54) remains skeptical: “The price differences are striking. It can’t just be Swiss negotiating skills.” It’s hard to imagine the United States making such a worse offer to Germany as its closest ally. “German politics would go crazy — and rightly so,” says Seiler Graf.

“The suspicion arises that Germany has just included all costs, including operating and maintenance costs,” says Seiler Graf. Switzerland, on the other hand, bought the American jet almost without armaments. This must be financed later through the current account.

“It is therefore to be feared that the bottom line will also be significantly higher costs for us,” says the SP National Councilor with conviction. It’s hard to imagine anything else. “Even though Christmas is just around the corner, I don’t believe in the Christ Child.”