The Swiss Air Force is set for a unique exercise, testing the viability of using the A1 motorway near Payerne as a makeshift airfield for F/A-18 fighter jets. This unprecedented move, approved by the government and scheduled for Jun. 4-6 aims to enhance the flexibility and adaptability of the nation’s air defense capabilities.
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Peter Gronemann from Switzerland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 36-hour closure of the motorway section between Avenches and Payerne will be meticulously planned in collaboration with the Federal Roads Office and cantonal police. During this period, traffic will be diverted via the cantonal road network to minimize disruption.
While seemingly unconventional, utilizing motorways for air operations isn’t entirely new for the Swiss Air Force. Similar exercises were conducted with older fighter jets like the Hunter and F5 Tiger in the 1970s and 1980s. However, the current initiative marks a significant step forward, involving more advanced aircraft and potentially paving the way for a wider integration of this strategy into future defense planning.
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