Defense Swiss Air Force wants to save on demonstrations

The Swiss Air Force wants to halve the number of its demonstrations and exhibitions to save money. Participation abroad is only planned in exceptional cases from the beginning of 2025, the Department of Defense announced.

This will affect the Swiss Para Wings and F/A-18 Swiss Hornet display teams, among others. The Patrouille Suisse will continue to fly the F-5 Tiger until 2027 for the time being, as the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) announced on Friday.

The aim is to focus resources on the introduction of the new fighter aircraft. Meanwhile, the PC-7 team will remain unchanged, it added. In addition, the flight hours freed up are to be used for missions and pilot training and development. Further corresponding measures are in preparation.

Throughout the year, the Swiss Air Force has been taking part in around 50 events and demonstrations at home and abroad with its five demonstration teams for decades.

SDA