Several U.S. allies are reconsidering or abandoning plans to buy the American-made F-35 fighter jet, citing rising costs, trade tensions, and a push for greater defence independence.
Spain has dropped its planned purchase, while Switzerland is reviewing whether to reduce its 2022 order for 36 F-35As. The moves follow warnings that U.S. tariffs and price disputes could add up to CHF 1.6 billion (£1.4 billion) to the Swiss deal.
Speaking to Politico, a European defence official said:
“You cannot ask allies to invest billions while at the same time imposing tariffs that directly increase the cost of those purchases.”
Tariffs and Tensions
The F-35 programme, led by Lockheed Martin, relies on large-scale international orders to keep costs down. U.S. tariffs, combined with inflation and a refusal to honour fixed-price agreements, have shaken confidence among buyers.
Swiss officials told Reuters that tariff hikes risk making their F-35s “significantly more expensive than planned,” prompting discussions over whether to scale back the order.
Spain, meanwhile, is turning instead to the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a next-generation stealth fighter project due in the 2040s.
Push for European Self-Sufficiency
For some European governments, the shift away from the F-35 is also about reducing reliance on U.S. supply chains. The FCAS programme, along with other options such as the Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen, keeps defence spending within Europe and strengthens domestic industries.
A senior Spanish defence source told Politico:
“We want to invest in our own capabilities, not just buy off the shelf from abroad.”
Potential Impact
Fewer foreign orders could push up the unit cost of the F-35 for remaining buyers, while Lockheed Martin faces the challenge of replacing lost contracts. Analysts warn that strained procurement relationships could also impact broader transatlantic defence cooperation.
What Next?
Switzerland is expected to make a final decision in November on whether to proceed with its full order. Any U.S. shift in tariff policy or willingness to negotiate fixed prices could help restore confidence among wavering allies.
Until then, the battle for the next generation of fighter jet contracts looks increasingly likely to be fought between U.S. suppliers and a revitalised European defence industry.