Also due to financial situation – Army wants to decommission Tiger jets and current Patrouille Suisse

4 comments

1. Article:

   >__At the end of 2027, the army plans to ground the F-5 Tiger and thus the current Patrouille Suisse. Resistance is already stirring__

   >A little more than three years to go before the Tiger fleet is to be grounded. Thomas Hurter is annoyed by the intention of Defense Minister Viola Amherd: “This is unacceptable and goes against the decision of Parliament,” says the former Tiger pilot and current SVP National Councillor.

   >Two years ago, the Federal Council wanted to withdraw the F-5 Tiger from service. Parliament, however, vetoed the decision. Now Defense Minister Amherd is making the next attempt and wants to decommission the Tigers at the end of 2027. The army confirms corresponding research by Radio SRF.

   >__Continued operation too expensive__

   >One important reason is the shortage of funds. On request, the army writes: “In view of the current financial situation of the Confederation and the consistent focus on regaining defense capability, the army intends to continue operating the F-5 Tiger fleet until the end of 2027.” The Tigers cost around 40 million Swiss francs a year, and additional investments in the millions would be necessary for longer operation. The army no longer wants to make these investments. With the arrival of the first F-35 jets in Switzerland from 2028, the current tasks of the Tigers can also be performed differently, according to the army.

   >The end of the Tigers means the end of the current Patrouille Suisse, which flies with Tiger jets. As currently intended, the Patrouille Suisse will no longer be able to fly on a jet aircraft, writes the army. However, the air force should still be able to present itself to a wide audience in the future. The Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft are the most sensible solution as a replacement. Specifically, the existing PC-7 team is to take the place of the Patrouille Suisse.

   >__Resistance from SVP and FDP__

   >In the next few weeks, Defense Minister Amherd wants to discuss the plans with the security policy committees of the National Council and the Council of States. A definitive grounding will require a parliamentary decision by 2027. The greatest opposition comes from the right. The Tiger is comparatively inexpensive and remains important for air combat training, for example, says SVP National Councillor Thomas Hurter. “The Americans want to use this aircraft until 2050. This is a clear sign that we should not sell off these jets.”

   >FDP security politician Maja Riniker also opposes grounding. She is not yet convinced by the argument that there will no longer be a need for the F-35 once it is introduced – especially as it is not clear when and how many of the new jets will be delivered: “As long as it is not clear which other aircraft will take over the Tiger’s duties, the jets must continue to fly,” says the National Councillor. There is also talk of unanswered questions in the Center Party.

   >__The Patrouille Suisse is a bone of contention__

   >SP National Councillor Priska Seiler Graf is in favor of the decommissioning: “I can see how much money is needed to maintain the Tiger.” The end of the Patrouille Suisse must be accepted: “The Patrouille Suisse is strongly anchored in people’s minds, but I am not personally attached to it. Everything has an expiration date.”

   >Security politician and SVP member of the Council of States Werner Salzmann does not want to accept an expiration date. Like his party colleague Hurter, he wants to fight the decommissioning. Patrouille Suisse must continue to fly with jets in the future: “It’s a demonstration of our pilots’ skills. It also serves as a deterrent.” The PC-7 team could not be a substitute.

2. It’s literally the most useless thing in our defense budget. Use the funds for actual defense maybe?

3. I have no problem with cutting an outdated and tactically irrelevant aircraft from the army.

   Patrouille Suisse can paint some f35s or use the Pilatus.

4. Just let them use new planes, win win