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A Swiss Armed Forces F/A-18 fighter aircraft lands at Bern-Belp Airport. The Defence Group wants to use it to test the ability to decentralize its air defence assets.
Image: Keystone
The Swiss Armed Forces are training their fighter jets in Bern to fly from a civilian base. The exercise at Bern-Belp Airport will last until Wednesday. F/A-18 fighter jets will be taking off and landing.
Today, all air force resources are concentrated at the three military airfields in Payerne VD, Emmen LU and Meiringen BE. This makes them vulnerable to long-range enemy weapon systems, according to the air force.
To reduce this risk, the army is focusing on decentralization. This means that troops and material should be able to be distributed throughout the country within the shortest possible time. The air force must also be able to deploy its resources from temporary locations wherever possible.
This was last practised in June 2024 during an exercise in Payerne. At that time, a fighter jet took off and landed on the highway.
31.03.2025, 13:19
31.03.2025, 15:30
