The Swiss Air Force is testing the logistical and human resources needed for two more Hornets in QRA duty for two weeks.
Media release - Published on 2. May 2025
The army is temporarily testing increased readiness in the air police service
Bern, 02.05.2025 — The Swiss Army is increasing its readiness for air police operations for two weeks. For this period, the Air Force doubles the number of permanently available patrols with F/A-18 fighter aircraft from one to two. The test is intended to provide insights into the human and material resources to strengthen the army's defense capability.
Against the background of the changed security policy environment, the Army is testing permanent take-off and operational readiness within a maximum of 15 minutes with two additional armed F/A-18 fighter aircraft over two weeks. The two patrols should be able to be deployed flexibly; both as independently operating F/A-18 patrols and as double patrols. The test is carried out by Airfield Command 11 from the Payerne military airfield and lasts from Saturday, March 3rd. May to Saturday 17th. May 2025. Its aim is to gain insights into human and material resources with the intention of strengthening the defense capability of the Swiss Army.
Permanently ready for security and sovereignty in Swiss airspace
Since 2021, the Air Force has had two armed fighter jets available for air police service (Quick Reaction Alert QRA) around the clock, seven days a week. In the normal situation, the two armed F/A-18s are mainly used for «hot missions» and «live missions». «Hot missions» are «blue light missions» that are triggered when an aircraft violates Swiss air sovereignty, seriously disregards air traffic rules or is in an emergency situation. «Live Missions» are random checks of foreign state aircraft that are only allowed to fly over Switzerland with a diplomatic clearance (Diplomatic Clearance). The Air Force carries out an average of around 10 «Hot Missions» and around 200 «Live Missions» per year.
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