World · Europe · 7 hrs ago
F-35 jets may need costly upgrades as key features arrive late
Finland has received the first of 64 F-35 fighter jets it ordered from the United States.
The jets do not yet have some capabilities promised with the Block 4 upgrade, which is meant to add features such as improved sensors, radar and electronic warfare systems.
That upgrade is years late, and a reduced package is now expected by 2031, after the aircraft have been delivered.
Finland may have to pay to install some missing features later.
Switzerland ordered 36 F-35s and is also expected to receive jets without all the planned Block 4 capabilities.
Armasuisse says some features will be added gradually, but the cost of major upgrades is not included in the aircraft’s operating and life-cycle costs, and the total is not yet known.
The Swiss government plans to seek additional funding through future military budgets; software updates are covered by maintenance contracts, according to Armasuisse.
Finland and Switzerland may need costly upgrades because F-35 jets are being delivered without all promised Block 4 features.
The Block 4 package was expected to be ready by 2026, but a reduced version is now expected by 2031.
Finland has received its first F-35s, while Switzerland’s aircraft are also expected to arrive with an incomplete set of features.
Armasuisse says additional Block 4 capabilities will be introduced gradually, with upgrade costs to be presented to parliament in future army proposals.
The full cost of the upgrades is not yet known.
- Who
- Finland and Switzerland, which have ordered F-35 fighter jets.
- What
- The jets may require costly retrofits because some promised Block 4 features are delayed.
- When
- Finland received its first jets in early October. The reduced Block 4 package is expected by 2031.
- Where
- Finland and Switzerland; the aircraft are supplied by the United States.
- Why
- The Block 4 upgrade is years behind schedule, so jets will be delivered without all the planned capabilities.
Former Swiss project leader Darko Savic
Armasuisse
Block 4 delivery and price
Former Swiss project leader Darko Savic
Savic said in 2022 that Switzerland would receive the Block 4 version at a fixed price, with no further costs.
Armasuisse
Armasuisse says the aircraft will be delivered in the Block 4 configuration current at the time, while some capabilities will be introduced later because of delays.
Block 4 is the version we will receive delivered. That is also the version tied to the fixed price. No further costs will come our way.
The upgrade is still in development. Therefore, no precise cost estimates can yet be made.
Swiss project leader Darko Savic said Switzerland would receive Block 4 at a fixed price with no further costs.
Block 4 was supposed to be ready, but the upgrade fell years behind schedule.
Finland received the first of its 64 ordered F-35 fighter jets.
A reduced Block 4 package is currently expected to be ready.
- Finnish order
- 64 F-35 fighter jets
- Swiss order
- 36 F-35 fighter jets
- Block 4 planned readiness
- 2026
- Reduced package expected
- 2031
- Swiss future upgrade funding
- To be submitted to parliament through future army proposals
Sources
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