Swiss Air Force
The Swiss Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Swiss Armed Forces. Established in 1914, it operates in Switzerland's airspace primarily for defense purposes. The Air Force is divided into two major commands - the Air Force Operations Command and the Air Force Training Command. The former is responsible for carrying out military operations and maintaining readiness, while the latter oversees training programs for pilots and other personnel. The Air Force operates a wide range of aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and transport planes. Notably, Switzerland's air defense relies heavily on its fleet of fighter jets, with the F/A-18 Hornet being the primary aircraft in this role. Additionally, the Air Force maintains helicopter squadrons for various purposes, such as search and rescue missions. The Swiss Air Force also participates in international cooperation and regularly takes part in air policing missions, training exercises, and joint operations with neighboring countries and NATO partners.
Key facts
| Official Name | Swiss Air Force |
| Local Name | Schweizer Luftwaffe - Forces aériennes suisses |
| Country | 🇨🇭 Switzerland |
| World rank | #57 |
| Active aircrafts | 148 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 36 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | 45 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 43 | |
| Helicopters | 41 | |
| Transport | 16 | |
| Special missions | 3 | |
Aircrafts most used by Swiss air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| F/A-18 Hornet | 30 | American multirole fighter, prominent during the Gulf War, extensively deployed for ground-attack, fleet defense, and close air support missions. | |
| PC-7 Turbo Trainer | 27 | Swiss-made turbo trainer, distinguished by service in over 30 air forces, dating back to the late 1970s. | |
| H215M / AS532 Cougar | 24 | French utility helicopter, notable for search and rescue missions, extensively utilized in military and civilian sectors since the 1970s. | |
| F-5E Tiger II | 18 | American fighter jet, used in the Cold War era, notable for its worldwide military deployments, including operation Desert Storm. | |
| H135M / EC365 | 17 | European light utility helicopter, prominent in law enforcement, medical services, and military operations worldwide since the late 20th century. | |
| PC-6 Porter | 14 | Swiss light utility aircraft, renowned for its versatility and ruggedness, extensively utilized in remote areas for cargo transport and search and rescue missions. | |
| PC-21 | 8 | Swiss trainer aircraft, known for deployments in military aviation schools around the world since the early 21st century. | |
| F-5 Freedom Fighter | 5 | American light fighter of Cold War era, notable for worldwide deployment, used extensively in Vietnam and various regional conflicts. | |
| CL-600 Challenger | 2 | Canadian business jet, introduced in the 1980s, extensively deployed for VIP and corporate travel worldwide. | |
| DA42 Twin Star | 1 | Austrian twin-engine propeller-driven airplane, notable for its utility in civil aviation and pilot training post-2004. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Swiss Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | F-35A | 36 | |
| F/A-18C | 25 | ||
| F-5E | 18 | ||
| Helicopters | H215M/AS332/532 | 24 | |
| H135M/EC635 | 17 | ||
| Special missions | DA42 (Recce) | 1 | |
| DHC-6 (Recce) | 1 | ||
| King Air 350 (Recce) | 1 | ||
| Training | PC-7 | 27 | |
| PC-21 | 8 | ||
| F-5F | 5 | ||
| F/A-18D | 5 | ||
| Transport | PC-6 | 14 | |
| Challenger 604 | 2 |