Gearing up for Greatness: First Swiss F-35 Begins..

The pictured bulkhead will be part of the first Swiss F-35’s CWA, the aircraft’s largest single component, representing about 25% of the F-35’s fuselage, and the location for eventual F-35 wing installation.

What Happens Next?

Over the next year, the first Swiss F-35s will continue progressing through manufacturing and assembly – a process that is producing airpower at five times the rate of any other allied fighter in production and leverages a global supply chain of more than 2,100 suppliers around the world.

The first eight Swiss F-35s are planned to deliver to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for pilot training in mid-2027. Additional Swiss F-35s will arrive in Switzerland in 2028.

From Capability to Jobs: What the F-35 Brings to Switzerland

The F-35 will be a force multiplier for Switzerland. It provides advanced 5th Gen capabilities like stealth, data sharing and enhanced sensing that will ensure Switzerland’s sovereignty, security and seamless cooperation with allies for generations to come.

Additionally, the F-35 is the only allied fighter in production that will create jobs for the next 50 to 60 years. In fulfillment of F-35 offset commitments, Lockheed Martin actively partners with Swiss industry on research and development, production and sustainment opportunities that align with Switzerland’s near and long-term goals. One example is the Pilatus technology transfer project, announced in March 2025, wherein Pilatus continues collaborating with Lockheed Martin to develop a tailored next-generation pilot-training system that will serve 5th Gen operators.

When it comes to multinational cooperation, capability and program maturity, the F-35 stands alone in the total value it brings to its operators. This milestone, along with Lockheed Martin’s continued partnership with Swiss government and industry, underscores the company’s commitment and readiness to deliver lasting impact to Switzerland through the F-35 program.