US Begins Production of F-35 Fighter Jets Ordered by Switzerland

Moscow (ANTARA) - The United States has begun production of the F-35 fighter jets bought by Switzerland, despite facing a rejection campaign from several activists. Swiss defence procurement chief Urs Loher conveyed this in an interview published on Monday. At the end of April, the daily Tribune de Geneve reported that activists in Switzerland launched a petition against the purchase of F-35s from the US. The purchase cost is said to be higher than the initial contract, while opponents consider the aircraft unsuitable for needs and too expensive. “Production has begun, contrary to the claims of opponents of the purchase … The first eight aircraft are scheduled to be delivered next year as planned,” Loher told Neue Zurcher Zeitung (NZZ). Switzerland previously signed a contract with the US to buy 36 F-35A units, with delivery scheduled between 2027 and 2030. According to Loher, Switzerland needs 55 to 70 aircraft to build an effective air force. For that reason, he proposed that the still-operational F/A-18 fighter jets be used for a while longer.