Summary
The credibility of the USA under President Donald Trump is increasingly being questioned after he made polarizing statements at the WEF in Davos regarding control of Greenland and relations with Russia. The Swiss Federal Council had decided to purchase 36 F-35 fighter jets under Joe Biden, but even conservative parliamentarians now doubt this decision and see a reorientation of the Swiss Air Force toward European alternatives as necessary. While the current procurement is to be continued, political consensus is growing that future acquisitions should favor European aircraft.
People
- Donald Trump
- Joe Biden
- Karin Keller-Sutter
- Fabian Molina (SP)
- Jacqueline de Quattro (FDP)
- Marianne Binder (Mitte)
- Mauro Tuena (SVP)
- Martin Pfister (Federal Councillor)
Topics
- Swiss security policy
- Geopolitical reorientation
- Arms procurement
- US dependency
- European alternatives
- Military modernization
Detailed Summary
Swiss armaments policy is marked by geopolitical uncertainty. President Trump appeared at the World Economic Forum with statements that disturbed European politicians: expressions of sympathy for Vladimir Putin, threats toward Greenland, and provocative remarks toward Europe.
The Federal Council had decided under the Biden administration to purchase 36 F-35A fighter jets, a multi-billion-franc arms project. This initiative ties Switzerland more closely to the USA and creates technological and operational dependencies. Federal Councillor Martin Pfister announced in December that Switzerland would initially procure fewer than 36 jets, but in the long term aims for a fleet of 55 to 70 combat aircraft.
The left demands a halt to F-35 procurement. SP National Councillor Fabian Molina argues that the USA is no longer a reliable partner. The conservative parties want to proceed with the current procurement but acknowledge geopolitical realities.
Critically differentiated positions are emerging in the conservative center: FDP National Councillor Jacqueline de Quattro supports proceeding with the F-35 purchase but emphasizes: "If the Federal Council had to choose a fighter jet today, it would probably not opt for the F-35." She advocates for a future reorientation toward European aircraft. Mitte States Councillor Marianne Binder sees no alternative to the F-35 deal for now due to time constraints, but demands stronger security policy integration with Europe.
SVP National Councillor Mauro Tuena warns against geopolitical chess thinking: a French procurement under Marine Le Pen could create similar problems. He advocates for a pragmatic selection based on performance and costs.
Core Statements
- Trust Crisis: Trump's WEF appearance strengthens doubts about the USA's reliability as a security partner
- Current Procurement Continued: The F-35 purchase is not being halted despite growing political doubts
- Future Reorientation: Parliamentary consensus on stronger alignment with European solutions
- Budget Reality: Fewer than 36 jets in the short term, fleet of up to 70 aircraft planned long-term
- Geopolitical Dilemma: Every choice of procurement partner carries risks of political dependency
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Stakeholder | Status |
|---|---|
| Swiss Armed Forces | Dependency on US technology growing |
| Left-Wing Parties | Demand immediate exit |
| Conservative Parties | Pragmatic but with reservations |
| European Partners | Benefit from stronger integration |
| USA | Losing strategic trust |
| European Defense Industry | Could benefit in the future |
| Swiss Taxpayers | Multi-billion-franc modernization budget |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Stronger European security integration | Additional dependencies through US withdrawal |
| Technological say through European partners | Significant additional costs from exit |
| Strategic repositioning possible | Geopolitical volatility complicates planning |
| Long-term independence from Trump politics | Technological standard could decline |
Relevance for Action
Decision-makers should:
- Immediately: Conduct risk analysis of geopolitical supply chain dependencies
- Medium-term: Advance scenario planning for European alternatives (e.g., Eurofighter, Gripen)
- In Parallel: Intensify dialogue with European partners on security policy cooperation
- Monitoring: Continuously assess Trump administration developments and US reliability
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and quotes verified
- [x] Temporal consistency (Publication: 25.01.2026) validated
- [x] Parliamentary positions correctly assigned
- [ ] Precise costs of F-35 procurement not mentioned in text – verification necessary
- [x] WEF context (22.01.2026) verifiable
Supplementary Research
- Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI): Data on Swiss defense spending and international procurement trends
- Federal Office for Defense Procurement (armasuisse): Official project overview and cost projections for F-35 procurement
- NZZ reporting on European fighter aircraft programs: Comparative analyses of Gripen, Eurofighter, Rafale
Bibliography
Primary Source:
Triaca, Ladina: «If the Federal Council had to choose a fighter jet today, it probably would not opt for the F-35» – Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 25.01.2026
https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/wenn-der-bundesrat-heute-einen-kampfjet-waehlen-muesste-wuerde-er-wohl-nicht-mehr-auf-den-f-35-setzen-die-zweifel-am-us-flieger-wachsen-im-bundeshaus-ld.1921447
Supplementary Sources:
- Tanner, Samuel: «The Dominator of Davos: How Donald Trump Commands the WEF» – NZZ, 22.01.2026
- Berner, Selina: «F-35: Airport Redesigns Also More Expensive Than Expected» – NZZ, 21.01.2026
- Humbel, Georg & Marti, Simon: «Federal Councillor Pfister Warns of War» – NZZ, 2026
Verification Status: ✓ Facts verified on 25.01.2026
Footer (Transparency Notice)
This text was prepared with the support of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 25.01.2026
Source: Neue Zürcher Zeitung