Switzerland to Retire F-5E Jets: Tigers to be Sold Back to the United States for Adversary Training

The Swiss Air Force remains one of the last major operators of the F-5E Tiger II third generation multirole fighter, having purchased 110 of the aircraft which were delivered from 1978. The fighters were marketed in the 1970s as a cheaper alternative to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the Swiss Air Force concluded that the Tigers were the more cost effective option due to their significantly lower operational costs and maintenance requirements and similar performance compared to the newer fourth generation jets. The majority of F-5E fighters have since been retired from service, with 22 currently deployed four of which are of the twin seat F-5F model. These have since been supplemented by a small contingent of 34 F-18C Hornet fourth generation multirole fighters delivered from January 1996 - although the crash rate of these newer jets has left the fleet with just 30 fighters. The remaining F-5E fighters are set to be retired from service, with the U.S. Navy showing an interest in purchasing the aircraft where they will be refurbished and used for adversary training. The F-5 has long been a preferred fighter for adversary training in part due to its low maintain requirements, versatility and high manoeuvrability allowing it to simulate the capabilities of a range of enemy fighters.

Unlike other operators of the F-5E such as Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand and Iran, Switzerland has not seen fit to invest in refurbishment of the fighter fleet or in upgrades needed to allow the aircraft to remain viable for modern warfare. Singapore has notably equipped its F-5Es with upgraded radars and AIM-120 air to air missiles, while Taiwan’s own jets have been armed with Sky Sword II hypersonic missiles. The AIM-7 Sparrow missiles used by Swiss F-5s lack active radar guidance or modern electronic warfare countermeasures making them effectively obsolete. The U.S. will reportedly spend approximately $39 million to purchase the F-5s - or around $1.77 million per aircraft. A previous attempt by Switzerland to purchase 22 Gripen fourth generation lightweight fighters from Sweden was notably voted down, but a larger contract to acquire new Western jets is currently under consideration. The American F-35A Lightning II is the most notable contender, and would provide the Swiss Air Force with one of the most advanced combat aircraft in the world.