A report from Japan's national audit office has revealed that the United States has failed to deliver approximately $7 billion in military equipment, with some orders outstanding for more than five years. This situation is creating concern among other international partners, including Switzerland, which has also experienced delays in its own defense procurements from the U.S.
The findings, published in January, detail 118 unfulfilled purchases dating back to the 2018 fiscal year, raising questions about the reliability of U.S. defense supply chains and the terms of international military sales agreements.
Key Takeaways
- Japan is awaiting $7 billion in U.S. military goods, with some delays exceeding five years.
- Switzerland's delivery of Patriot air defense systems has been postponed by the U.S. to prioritize aid to Ukraine.
- The delays impact military readiness, forcing nations to extend the service life of aging equipment.
- U.S. arms contracts often list delivery dates as non-binding estimates, giving buyers limited legal recourse.
Japan Details Significant Delays
The report by the Japanese Court of Audit has brought significant attention to long-standing issues in its defense procurement process with the United States. The document specifies that the delays are primarily caused by U.S.-based manufacturers and have a direct impact on Japan's defense capabilities.
By being forced to continue using older systems beyond their planned service life, the Japanese military faces increased maintenance costs and a potential reduction in operational readiness. The undelivered equipment includes high-profile assets like the F-35 fighter jet, the same model Switzerland has ordered for its air force.
The Nature of U.S. Arms Agreements
A key issue highlighted in the Japanese report is the structure of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts with the U.S. government. Delivery dates provided in these agreements are typically considered estimates rather than legally binding deadlines. This allows Washington to unilaterally alter delivery schedules without the formal consent of the purchasing nation, even after advance payments have been made. This leaves countries like Japan and Switzerland with very little leverage to enforce the original timelines.
Swiss Procurements Also Affected
While officials in Bern have stated they are not immediately concerned about their F-35 delivery schedule, Switzerland has already been directly impacted by shifting U.S. priorities. Last July, Washington informed the Swiss government that its order for Patriot air defense systems would be delayed.
The decision was made to redirect production to support Ukraine. In response, Bern suspended its advance payments for the Patriot systems "until further notice." This incident serves as a practical example of how U.S. geopolitical priorities can override existing agreements with allies.
118: The number of separate military purchases from the U.S. to Japan since fiscal year 2018 that remain incomplete.
Official Response from Bern
The Swiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement, Armasuisse, maintains it is in regular contact with the relevant U.S. authorities. An official statement noted, "Currently, we have no indicators that there will be delivery delays for the F-35s intended for Switzerland."
However, Armasuisse also confirmed the contractual realities. The agency acknowledged that standard U.S. procedures allow the American government to postpone deliveries under "unusual circumstances and for valid reasons." In such cases, the statement clarified, "Switzerland must accept the delays."
Growing Calls for Oversight
The situation has prompted calls for greater scrutiny of large-scale defense contracts. The Japanese Court of Audit has urged the country's defense ministry to implement stronger monitoring of its procurement agreements to mitigate the risk of future delays, especially during production bottlenecks or shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
"With this aircraft, we are tying our security policy to the unreliable USA for decades," commented Joris Fricker, secretary for the Group for a Switzerland without an Army (GSoA).
The GSoA, a long-time critic of the F-35 purchase, argues that these events underscore the risks of depending on a single foreign supplier for critical defense assets. The group has reiterated its call to cancel the fighter jet deal, a move the Federal Council has consistently ruled out.
As nations re-evaluate their defense needs amid global instability, the reliability and transparency of international arms supply chains have become a central point of concern for governments in Bern, Tokyo, and beyond.