Swiss delegation signs first F-35A – production and delivery of the fighter aircraft on track
Bern, 22.09.2026 — The first Swiss F-35A fighter aircraft is taking shape: A delegation with the Chief of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Benedikt Roos, the National Armaments Director Urs Loher and the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Christian Oppliger, signed a structural component of the first F-35A destined for Switzerland on 21 September 2026. During a visit to the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the representatives from the DDPS were briefed on the production status and exchanged views with representatives from the US armed forces and the manufacturer.
To mark what is known as the “bulkhead signature”, the Swiss representatives placed their signatures on the forward fuselage frame, otherwise known as the “bulkhead”, of the first Swiss F-35A. The bulkhead is a load-bearing structural element of the aircraft and contributes to the stability of the structure. The signature is carried out during the production process, before the component is integrated into the wider structure of the aircraft.
“Bulkhead signature” as milestone in the procurement process
The “bulkhead signature” is a symbolic and traditional event during the production of the F-35A. The signature has no technical function and no influence on the technical features or the operational readiness of the aircraft.
The event marks a further milestone in the procurement of the F-35A for the Swiss Air Force. The aircraft are manufactured at various locations in the international production network of the F-35 programme and then assembled. The production of the Swiss aircraft is thus part of an internationally integrated production process.
In addition to the “bulkhead signature”, the Swiss delegation received an update on the production status at the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth. The members of the delegation gained insight into the ongoing production process and held discussions with representatives from the manufacturer as well as the US armed forces.
Production and delivery on track
The first eight F-35A destined for Switzerland will be deployed from mid-2027 at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, to train Swiss pilots as well as the ground crew. The fighter aircraft manufactured in the United States will then be gradually transferred to Switzerland.
The F-35A will be introduced at the military airfields of Payerne, Meiringen and Emmen over the next few years. Deployment in Payerne is scheduled from mid-2028, followed by Meiringen from 2030 and finally Emmen from 2032.
