DDPS plans to discontinue Patrouille Suisse jets at the end of 2027
Published: Friday, Mar 15th 2024, 08:00
Updated At: Friday, Mar 15th 2024, 07:30
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The Department of Defense plans to cease operating the F5 Tiger aircraft at the end of 2027. Air Force Commander Peter Merz told SRF radio that the jets would be missing from Patrouille Suisse.
"It is the intention of the DDPS to discontinue F5 operations at the end of 2027," said Merz, Division Commander of the Swiss Air Force, on SRF's "Heute Morgen" program on Friday. Due to the current financial situation, the army is consistently focusing its money on new systems.
This would mean the end of the Patrouille Suisse aerobatic team in its current form. "Patrouille Suisse can no longer fly on a jet aircraft if the Tiger is no more," said Merz.
It is not yet clear what form future air shows will take. Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), is holding discussions with the security commissions, said the commander. One possible option is the deployment of the existing PC-7 team on propeller aircraft.
Ultimately, the decision as to whether the F5 Tigers remain on the ground lies with parliament. Critical voices have already been raised, as the SRF radio report showed.
Procured in the 70s
The Federal Council had already proposed to Parliament in 2018 that half of the 53 F5 Tigers in service at the time be decommissioned. The remaining 26 aircraft continued to be used to relieve the F/A-18 Hornet with secondary tasks and for Patrouille Suisse.
The Tiger fighter aircraft with a speed of 1700 kilometers per hour, a length of almost 15 meters and a wingspan of a good eight meters, have been in service in Switzerland since 1978. Their production was discontinued in 1989 after the delivery of the 3806th aircraft after more than 30 years.
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