The Swiss Armed Forces have recently published a comprehensive report that sheds light on their upcoming plans for the F-5E/F Tiger fleet and the Patrouille Suisse.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the future of the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II aircraft and its impact on the Patrouille Suisse team. The report suggests that the F-5 will continue to operate until the end of 2027, following which the introduction of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II in 2028 is planned.

It is worth noting that previously, there was a belief that the F-5 would be retired in 2025 and the last full season of the Patrouille Suisse would be in 2024. However, the politicians in Switzerland have rejected the proposed 2025 date. This decision allows the Patrouille Suisse team to continue showcasing their breathtaking aerobatic displays to the public for a few more years.

F-5 Tigers To fly until the end of 2027

The announcement made it clear that the Army has decided to extend the operation of the F-5 Tiger fleet until the end of 2027, citing the federal government's current financial situation and the Army's consistent efforts to regain defence capability as the reasons. However, with the acceptance of the first F-35A aircraft in Switzerland in 2028 and the simultaneous continuation of the F/A-18 Hornet fleet's operation, it has been concluded that the army has no requirement to add the F-5 Tiger as a third operational fleet. This decision has been taken due to inadequate personnel, finances, and infrastructure availability.

It has been noted that the F-5 Tiger's military suitability as an operational aircraft for airspace protection has been absent for over a decade. Due to the outdated sensors and armaments, these aircraft are unsuitable even for air police service and would have no chance in an air battle against a modern opponent.

The F-5 Tigers are currently being utilized for target display, training purposes, as tow aircraft, and for test flights. By performing these secondary tasks, the F-5 Tiger fleet is relieving the F/A-18 Hornet of its duties, which not only extends its useful life but also reduces the operating costs of this fleet. It is worth highlighting that approximately half of the F-5 Tiger fleet is used by the Patrouille Suisse aerobatic team for flight demonstrations.

Impact on the Patrouille Suisse

The Swiss Armed Forces have also noted that the Patrouille Suisse, a renowned and skilled aerobatic display team of the Swiss Air Force, will no longer be able to fly its current jet aircraft (F-5) once its flight operations end in 2027. These flight demonstrations, which are known for their breathtaking manoeuvres and precise formations, have played a crucial role in demonstrating the work, capabilities, and importance of the Swiss Air Force to a vast audience.

To ensure the continuation of this impressive display team after 2027, Switzerland is exploring alternative options. The most practical solution appears to be using a cheaper and lower-emission turbine-propeller aircraft (PC-7) instead of a jet aircraft. The Air Force's current PC-7 display team, which is already well-equipped and experienced in handling such aircraft, is expected to excel in this new responsibility.

The security policy commissions will now hold discussions and explore this option further to ensure the continued success of this highly respected and admired Patrouille Suisse.

F-5 Tigers in Swiss Air Force

The Swiss Army's inventory currently includes 25 F-5 Tiger combat aircraft, 18 of which are operational. The remaining 7 aircraft have been decommissioned due to extensive upcoming maintenance work, but they can be made airworthy again if necessary.

In 2022, the Federal Council proposed decommissioning the F-5 fleet by the end of 2025, but both councils rejected the proposal. The annual army messages to Parliament will continue to include requests for the decommissioning of military equipment, including the F-5.

The operation of the F-5 fleet results in high costs, and further investments would be required to keep them operational. In 2023, the Swiss Army spent almost CHF 24 million on material orders, repairs, and maintenance work from the industry for the F-5 Tiger fleet, and around CHF 30 million has been budgeted for this year. Additionally, CHF 8 million will be spent annually on personnel costs and CHF 6 million on fuel.

Continued operation of the F-5 fleet beyond 2027 would require investments in ejection seats, aircraft avionics, and navigation. To meet the needs of the Patrouille Suisse and carry out additional service tasks, the Swiss Army would require 12 F-5 Tiger aircraft, costing around CHF 9 million.

The Air Force has examined various options, including the complete abandonment of demonstration teams and the use of jet trainer systems. However, these options were rejected based on fleet size, operational needs, and readiness requirements for both existing and future systems. The use of jet trainer systems would also require replacement or new purchases, resulting in additional costs.

Patrouille Suisse

The Patrouille Suisse is a renowned aerobatic demonstration team of the Swiss Air Force based at the Emmen Air Base. The team comprises six Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter/bomber jets adorned in the national colours of white and red, six highly skilled demonstration pilots, a spare pilot, two commentators, and 35 technicians. Established in 1964, the team's primary objective is to showcase the Swiss Air Force's efficiency, precision, and readiness at home and abroad, with its display typically lasting around 18 minutes.

To join this elite team, the selection process for new pilots is incredibly rigorous, with candidates required to have a flawless flying record. The pilots of the Patrouille Suisse are considered the best military pilots in the Swiss Air Force, with diverse military backgrounds from F/A-18s to PC-21s.

The Emmen military airfield has been the team's home since 1994. Although the team wanted to relocate to the Payerne military airfield for the 2008 season, this plan never materialized. Initially, the Patrouille Suisse had its home base at the Dübendorf military airfield until 1994.

At major air shows like RIAT or Air14, the Patrouille Suisse sometimes performs a joint flypast with the PC-7 team, the Hornet Solo Display Team, or the Super Puma Display Team at the opening of the flight demonstration. At Air14 in Payerne on September 7th, 2014, the Patrouille Suisse performed a breathtaking full aerobatic display together with the PC-7 Team.

The idea of setting up a demonstration team of professional pilots dates back to 1959 when the Air Force Surveillance Wing began training a double patrol of 2x2 aircraft for display purposes. In 1965, the Patrouille Suisse had its first scheduled season, and four air shows were visited. Over the following years, the program was consistently improved, and the precision of individual manoeuvres was perfected. In 1970, the team grew by an additional Hawker Hunter. Due to Switzerland's policy of neutrality, the team was not permitted to perform abroad at the time. This changed in 1978 when the Patrouille Suisse was invited to the 25th anniversary of the Patrouille de France and was allowed to demonstrate its flying skills - now with six aircraft - over Salon-de-Provence, France.

The team first appeared with a dedicated Patrouille Suisse livery for the 700-year anniversary of the Swiss Confederation in 1991, sporting the Swiss national colours, red and white, on the lower sides of the wings. Patrouille Suisse was based at Dübendorf Air Base until 1992 when Emmen Air Base became the team's new home. In 1994, the Patrouille Suisse flew its last display on the Hawker Hunter Mk. 58, and in 1995, the team transitioned to the faster and more advanced F-5E Tiger II, which had been operated by the Swiss Air Force since 1978 in the air defence role.

Since April 2007, a PC-6 Turbo Porter painted in the Patrouille Suisse colours has been used in support of the team. Named "Felix," the aircraft is flown by the commander to travel with the speaker and cameraman to training and display locations in Switzerland. The commander monitors the displays from the ground. The name "Felix" was the former callsign of the team's ground station monitoring the display. In 2014, Patrouille Suisse celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the Swiss Air Force celebrated its 100th anniversary. The celebrations culminated in the AIR 14 air show at Payerne, featuring the best European military display teams and solo displays.

The Swiss Air Force has flown the F-5E/F Tiger II operationally since 1978. Besides the Patrouille Suisse, the Swiss F-5s were typically flown by reservist pilots with militia squadrons that operated alongside the professional military aviator's corps, which operated the Mirage III and then F/A-18C Hornet fighters. With the PC-21 taking over the training role from the two-seat F-5F in 2008 and the limited contribution to the security of the Swiss airspace from the F-5E, as well as cutbacks in the military spending and restructuring, the Tiger fleet in the Swiss Air Force has been significantly reduced. The program was launched to partially replace the F-5E fleet by 2018. In 2014, the Swiss public rejected the proposed purchase of the Gripen, which had been selected in a national referendum.

The 2016 decision to maintain a reduced F-5 fleet for adversary training and target tug duties has meant the Patrouille Suisse could continue to fly the Tiger for some years to come, much to the delight of aviation enthusiasts worldwide.