RUAG secures final assembly of three F-35As in Emmen
Bern/Emmen - RUAG is to assemble and test three F-35A fighter jets in Emmen in the Swiss canton of Lucerne. The company has signed a corresponding agreement with manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Starting in the fall of 2027, Emmen will become the fourth site worldwide for the final assembly and testing of the F-35A.
RUAG has signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin for the final assembly and testing of three F-35A fighter jets at its Emmen facility. According to a statement, this project, known as RIGI, will enable the Swiss government-owned defense contractor to develop the expertise required to maintain the aircraft throughout their entire service life.
The contract makes RUAG a partner in the American manufacturer’s international F-35 network, with Emmen one of only four locations worldwide where F-35A aircraft undergo final assembly and testing. The first components for the three aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2027. Production is set to begin in the fall of 2027.
“RIGI is a key strategic project for RUAG and will shape our role in military aviation for decades to come,” Jürg Rötheli, Chairman of the Board of Directors of RUAG MRO Holding AG, is quoted as saying. “Through our participation in the F-35A program, we are assuming long-term responsibility for one of the core systems of Swiss air defense.”
In 2022, Switzerland signed a purchase agreement with the U.S. government to procure the F-35A. According to the Federal Office for Defense Procurement armasuisse, delivery of the 28 aircraft is scheduled to take place between mid-2028 and the end of 2030.
