¶ Schedule and Milestones
¶ Planned Delivery Schedule
| Phase | Period | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Contract signing | 2022 | FMS Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) |
| Production start | 2024--2025 | Swiss F-35A in Lot 18/19 |
| Bulkhead signature | 21.09.2026 | Swiss delegation (Chief of the Armed Forces, head of armasuisse, Air Force commander) signs the forward fuselage bulkhead of the first Swiss F-35A at the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth (Texas); a symbolic event with no technical function [114] |
| First delivery | from mid-2027 | The first eight Swiss F-35A will be used from mid-2027 at Ebbing Air National Guard Base (Arkansas) to train pilots and ground crew, and then gradually transferred to Switzerland [114] |
| Pilot training | 2025--2028 | Training in the USA (Luke AFB, Arizona); from mid-2027 also on Swiss F-35A at Ebbing (Arkansas) [114] |
| RIGI final assembly | 2028--2029 | 4 units in Emmen (RUAG) |
| Initial Operating Capability (IOC) | ~2030 | First operational readiness |
| Full Operating Capability (FOC) | ~2032 | Full operational readiness of the entire fleet |
| F/A-18 retirement | 2030--2035 | Gradual transition |
¶ Basing and Infrastructure
| Location | Canton | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Payerne | VD | Main base, investment ~CHF 250 million over 10 years [47]; F-35A stationed from mid-2028 [114] |
| Emmen | LU | RIGI final assembly, RUAG maintenance centre; F-35A stationed from 2032 [114] |
| Meiringen | BE | Alpine base, investment ~CHF 68 million [47]; F-35A stationed from 2030 [114] |
Infrastructure costs rose from an original CHF 120 million to CHF 200 million -- an increase of 67% [47]. Building permits for two bases are delayed until at least mid-2026 [47].
¶ Infrastructure Modifications
The following modifications are required at all locations:
- Hangar conversions for stealth maintenance
- Stealth maintenance hangars with controlled environment
- F135 engine test stands
- Full Mission Simulator (FMS) for pilot training
- ODIN system integration (successor to ALIS) for maintenance and spare parts management
¶ Risk Factors for the Schedule
The following risks could affect the schedule:
- TR-3 delays: The Swiss F-35A are to be delivered with TR-3. TR-3 is already delayed for Lot 15 [36][38].
- Building permits: Infrastructure projects are delayed until at least mid-2026 [47]
- Global supply chain: In 2024, all 110 F-35s produced were delivered late -- on average 238 days [36]
¶ Critical Factual Analysis
The following sections analyse, based on publicly available original sources -- GAO reports, DOT&E reports, CBO studies and recognised specialist media --, what the Swiss Air Force will actually receive.
¶ References
[36] armasuisse. Air2030 FAQ F-35A
[38] news.admin.ch. (2025). Pilatus Receives Access to F-35A Technology
[47] Defense Aerospace. Switzerland to Invest Over CHF 1.1 Billion to Prepare Air Bases for F-35A
[114] armasuisse / DDPS. (2026). Swiss delegation signs first F-35A – production and delivery of the fighter aircraft on track. Press release of 22.09.2026