Anger over jet price rise

The Swiss government now says the F-35 fighter jets could cost up to CHF 1.35 billion more than expected – and that’s triggered a political storm.

The Social Democrats are furious. They say the deal was pushed through with “lies and deception.” Now, taxpayers are left footing the bill.

The Greens agree – calling it not just a financial mess, but a dangerous dependence on the US.

But others see it differently. Centre party senator Marianne Binder-Keller says with global tensions rising, Switzerland still needs the jets – even if they cost more. 

The Green Liberals say the real problem is a badly written contract. They want the government to stand firm and not give in to Washington.

More from Bitesize News

  • Geneva could foot the G7 bill

    Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.

  • US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

    Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.

  • French singer banned by Paleo

    The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

  • Cars going uninspected

    The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.

  • War may lead to rent rises

    Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.

  • Not a heatwave, yet

    Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play