Swiss Airfield Works for F-35 Fighter Jets Face Soaring Costs

Switzerland’s federal auditor said the estimated cost of work to get airfields ready for new Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 fighter jets has far exceeded the initially anticipated amount, which will spark further criticism of a defense project that’s long been controversial.

Construction at three military airports is now estimated at 200 million Swiss francs ($252 million), up from an original budget of 120 million francs, the Federal Audit Office said in a report released late Wednesday. It also identified additional related projects that may cost more than 50 million francs.