Executive Summary

The Federal Office of Armaments armasuisse has completed work on extending the service life of Switzerland's F/A-18C/D fighter aircraft. The 30 aircraft of the Swiss Air Force will remain operational into the early 2030s, until the new F-35A fighter aircraft are introduced. The 450-million-franc project included modernization of communications, navigation, and identification systems as well as extensive structural overhaul of the aircraft construction. The critical milestone of structural inspection and overhaul was reached at the end of April 2026. Outstanding logistics deliveries are scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.

Persons

  • Federal Office of Armaments armasuisse (Project responsibility)

Topics

  • Aeronautical engineering and aircraft maintenance
  • Swiss Air Force and national defense
  • Defense projects and budget management

Clarus Lead

The extension of the F/A-18 fleet closes a critical gap in Swiss air defense capability. Without these structural overhauls, the fleet would have become non-operational before the introduction of F-35A successors – an operational risk to national security. The timely completion of the structural program in April 2026 signals successful project execution under complex technical conditions and secures continuity of airspace surveillance until the generational transition in the early 2030s.

Detailed Summary

The F/A-18C/D aircraft have been in service since 1997. With the 2017 Army Message, armasuisse received the mandate to extend the operational life of these aircraft – a project worth 450 million francs. The technical measures spanned several years and included modernization of communications, navigation, and identification systems (CNI), adaptation of aircraft software, mission planning systems, and the flight simulator. This work was completed several years ago.

The central element was the structural overhaul program, which was successfully completed at the end of April 2026. This program included extensive inspections and technically demanding repairs of numerous selected structural components. The work was carried out in close cooperation between armasuisse, the Swiss Air Force, RUAG AG, and other industrial partners. Through these measures, the airworthiness of all 30 aircraft is maintained up to a service life of 6,000 flight hours per aircraft.

Still outstanding are individual logistics deliveries, particularly spare parts and support services for operation during the remaining service life. According to current planning, these are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027 and will mark the final project completion within the scope of the approved commitment credit.

Key Statements

  • Structural overhaul program for all 30 F/A-18C/D aircraft completed end of April 2026
  • Operational capability until early 2030s – bridge to F-35A introduction secured
  • 450-million-franc project includes system modernization and extensive structural repairs
  • Logistics deliveries and project completion planned by end of 2027

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What technical inspection criteria were applied to certify the airworthiness of the 30 aircraft up to 6,000 flight hours, and who conducted the independent validation?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: To what extent were RUAG AG and other industrial partners involved in quality control of the structural overhaul program, and how was independence of acceptance ensured?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: Was a cost-benefit analysis conducted between the service life extension (450 million CHF) and an earlier start of F-35A procurement?

  4. Feasibility/Risks: What risks arise if the outstanding logistics deliveries are not completed as planned by the end of 2027, and how would this affect operational readiness?

  5. Data Quality: Is the forecast of operational capability into the early 2030s based on historical wear patterns, or were new operational scenarios modeled?

  6. Feasibility: How will regular maintenance and periodic inspections during the remaining service life be financed and organized?

Source Directory

Primary Source: State Visit Poland – Latest Federal Council Conferences – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/tQKXglOJEgRFrPTBAHmM6

Verification Status: ✓ 01.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 01.06.2026