Geneva [Switzerland], June 26: Switzerland and the United States are at odds over the price of 36 US-made F-35 fighter jets, with Washington now seeking a significantly higher payment than originally expected.
The Swiss government maintains the aircraft were purchased at a fixed price of some 6 billion Swiss francs ($7.5 billion). However, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) now claims the fixed price was a misunderstanding and is demanding an additional $650 million to $1.3 billion, Swiss armaments chief Urs Loher said.
The 2022 order stirred controversy in Switzerland and across Europe, in part because Switzerland chose the US-made jets over European alternatives like the Eurofighter and the French Rafale. Then-defence minister Viola Amherd defended the decision, stating the F-35 was the most cost-effective option.
Source: Qatar Tribune
