Giant at Risk: The Struggles Surrounding the F-35 Superjet
The Swiss Defense Ministry has announced a potential overrun of 1.3 billion Swiss francs in the cost of 36 F-35 stealth combat jets, raising concerns about the total expenses of the high-tech fighter aircraft.
Initially, the Swiss government had estimated the cost of the F-35 jets at 6 billion Swiss francs. However, recent developments suggest that the costs could exceed this figure.
The F-35 stealth combat jets, manufactured by American companies, are designed for stealth operations, making them difficult to detect by radar. However, countries that have purchased these jets have historically underestimated the total costs, especially due to significant, sometimes hidden, sustainment and operational expenses that can dramatically increase lifetime costs beyond initial purchase prices.
For instance, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and independent watchdogs now estimate the F-35 program will cost over $2 trillion over its lifetime, a dramatic increase from prior estimates around $1.7 trillion. Much of this increase stems from a 44% rise in projected sustainment costs, emphasizing that lifetime maintenance and operational expenses far exceed initial purchase costs.
Countries like Poland and Greece, which have bought U.S. military aircraft at high initial prices, have faced public scrutiny over costs, illustrating how economic difficulties can clash with underestimated total costs of sophisticated military aircraft programs.
Operational costs per flight hour are typically higher than expected, with the F-35’s operating costs often running significantly higher than those of other advanced fighters, such as the Gripen E, whose operational costs are estimated at $8,000 per flight hour.
Some countries have considered alternatives or complementary platforms to reduce costs, implicitly recognizing cost underestimations in U.S.-supplied fighters. For example, Peru chose the Saab Gripen instead of the F-16 or Rafale partly because of the complexities and operational expenses associated with the FMS (Foreign Military Sales) process.
In the UK case, 27 F-35 jets are officially estimated to cost £3.2 billion (roughly $4 billion) for delivery by 2033. However, these figures generally cover acquisition, not full lifecycle costs including sustainment, training, logistics, and upgrades, inviting questions about underestimation of longer-term expenses.
As the Swiss government grapples with the potential cost overrun of the F-35 program, it joins a growing list of countries that have faced similar challenges with the high-tech fighter jets. The overrun could be the most expensive in Swiss military history, potentially causing political concerns in a country that prides itself on fiscal responsibility.
[1] U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2021). F-35 Joint Program Office: Cost Estimates and Requirements Document Needs Improvements. Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-106769 [2] International Institute for Strategic Studies. (2020). The Military Balance 2020. Retrieved from https://www.iiss.org/publications/military-balance/2020/pakistan [4] Saab. (2020). Gripen E. Retrieved from https://www.saab.com/aircraft/gripen/gripen-e/ [5] House of Commons Defence Committee. (2019). The F-35 Lightning II Programme. Retrieved from https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/1011/documents/11016/default/
- The Swiss F-35 project, like other nations' experiences with the high-tech fighter aircraft, has shown a history of underestimated costs, especially in sustainment and operational expenses, which are often hidden and can lead to financial difficulties in the industry.
- As the Swiss government faces potential cost overruns with the F-35 stealth combat jets, countries such as Poland, Greece, and the UK have also encountered similar issues in their attempts to balance aerospace and finance, highlighting the need for accurate cost assessments in the sports of acquiring sophisticated military equipment.
