Switzerland is considering direct purchases of selected U.S. weapons components after its F-35 experience exposed weaknesses in a procurement system that gives Washington a central role in arms sales.
Urs Loher, head of Switzerland's Federal Office for Defence Procurement (Armasuisse), said in an interview with Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) that the agency could explore buying selected Patriot components directly from manufacturers. He said a direct purchase of an advanced fighter such as the F-35 was not feasible, and any direct contract would require U.S. approval.
Switzerland generally buys U.S. weapons through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which puts the U.S. government between foreign buyers and manufacturers. Loher said Washington decides which countries can receive advanced military technology through the system. It also lets the United States pool orders and buy at scale, lowering its purchasing costs. Loher said buyers have limited options when they dispute prices or face delayed deliveries.
On Aug. 13, 2025, the Federal Council said that under the U.S. position, Switzerland could not enforce a fixed price for the F-35A. It also said the country could not then calculate the aircraft program's total procurement cost precisely.
Separately, Loher said Patriot deliveries are delayed by five to seven years. He told NZZ the United States plans to send Germany systems originally assigned to Switzerland. Switzerland has paid more than 1 billion Swiss francs in advance and expects to recover at least part of the payment, though Loher said the timing is uncertain.
Swiss authorities have assessed a second air-defense system, and the Federal Council will make the final decision, Loher said.
