Defense Strategy
¶ 4. Defense Strategy
¶ 4.1 European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI)
On October 17, 2024, Switzerland signed the ESSI accession declaration as the 15th member (Federal Council, 2024). Neutrality reservations: suspension clause, full decision-making autonomy, no network integration (Defense News, 2024; swissinfo, 2025).
In July 2025, Switzerland signed a contract for five IRIS-T SLM systems for CHF 500 million (Army Recognition, 2025).
¶ 4.2 F-35 Cost Explosion and Quantity Reduction
| Aspect | Original | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Number of F-35A | 36 | 24-30 |
| Total Costs | CHF 6 billion ("fixed price") | CHF 6.65-7.3 billion |
| Additional Costs | 0 | CHF 0.65-1.3 billion |
| Airfield Infrastructure | CHF 120 million | CHF 200 million (+67%) |
(SRF, 2025; Flugrevue, 2025; NZZ: Airfields, 2026)
¶ 4.3 Patriot Crisis
The five ordered Patriot fire units were scheduled for delivery in 2026-2028. In July 2025, the US informed Switzerland of an indefinite postponement due to prioritization for Ukraine. CHF 650 million already paid, no concrete delivery date (Tages-Anzeiger, 2025; DDPS: Patriot Delay).
¶ 4.4 Software Dependency and US Control
The F-35 is subject to comprehensive software control by the United States, which experts classify as an unprecedented strategic dependency.
Key points:
- Only the US has access to the aircraft's complete source code
- Every F-35 must regularly connect to US systems for logistics and updates
- Theoretically, it is possible to prevent engine start remotely
Joseph Henrotin, Research Director at the Centre d'analyse et de prevision des risques internationaux (CAPRI) and editor-in-chief of the journal Defense & Securite Internationale, describes the F-35 program as "unprecedented military gigantism" with "such a far-reaching American control system that it places its customers under an unprecedented, potentially dangerous guardianship."[1]
[1] L'Opinion, February 1, 2026: «Les Etats-Unis peuvent etouffer l'usage des F-35 de leurs allies de plusieurs manieres»
Further reading: Henrotin, Joseph: Un Avion pour les gouverner tous -- Le F-35, prisme de la dependance strategique europeenne, Editions du Rocher, February 2026.
¶ 4.5 Armed Forces Dispatch and Financial Framework
The Armed Forces Dispatch 2025 requests CHF 1.7 billion with a focus on a new artillery system (Armed Forces: Armed Forces Dispatch). The financial framework 2025-2028 comprises CHF 25.8 billion, increased by parliament to CHF 29.8 billion, with the goal of reaching 1% of GDP by 2032 (Armed Forces: Financial Framework). The DDPS Drone Task Force is testing the technological readiness of attack and defense drones (DDPS: Drone Task Force; DDPS: Armaments Policy Strategy).