Grounding der Patrouille Suisse? Der Bundesrat will die F-5 Tiger ausser Dienst stellen!
Video from the channel OG Panzer about Northrop F-5, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 2:02. Language: German. Video type: News.
The Swiss Army wants to retire its Northrop F-5 Tiger aircraft before the end of 2027. The announcement was made by the commander of the Air Force, Divisional Commander Peter Merz, in an interview with Radio SRF. The Federal Department of Defence cites operating costs of around 40 million francs a year.
Introduced in the 1970s, the F-5 was the backbone of Swiss air defense during the Cold War until the F/A-18 gradually replaced it. 25 remain, including those of the Patrouille Suisse, founded on August 22, 1964.
Without the F-5, the display team would be left without jets: according to the department, its performances could switch to the PC-7. Until the F-35 arrives, the F/A-18s keep the missions running. Several politicians oppose the move, as Parliament already did in an earlier attempt.