6 hours ago - World

Switzerland sets sights on fewer F-35s

Switzerland will buy fewer U.S.-made F-35As than previously planned due to rising costs, its government said.

The big picture: The multibillion-dollar buy now consists of roughly 30 fighter jets, down from 36.

The Swiss Federal Council, in a statement, said options that would result in an even greater reduction of the fleet were "rejected for security policy reasons."

Between the lines: Interest in, and alternatives to, Lockheed Martin's F-35 have been used as a bit of a barometer for transatlantic relations.

Flashback: Switzerland initially picked the F-35 in 2021.

Go deeper: Allies and analysts sweat Saudi F-35s