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Swiss Air Force

The Swiss Air Force is responsible for military operations in Switzerland's airspace. Its tasks include airspace protection (maintaining air sovereignty and air defence), aerial transport and air-based intelligence gathering.

F/A-18D Hornet

Air force missions

Airspace protection

Airspace protection includes maintaining air sovereignty, air defence and countering ballistic missile attacks.

  • To maintain air sovereignty, the Swiss Air Force carries out "passive" (airspace monitoring operations and daily "active" air policing missions (interventions) (link). 
  • Air defence comprises defensive and offensive operations. 
  • Protection from ballistic missile attacks comprises defensive counter measures.

Aerial transport

Aerial transport missions are used to airlift persons, troops, material and weapons irrespective of obstacles and topographical conditions. They also include search and rescue (SAR) operations, and evacuation and repatriation flights.

The air force's Federal Air Transport Service carries members of the Swiss government and other senior officials in the federal administration. In addition, it transports Swiss military personnel and equipment to locations abroad and carries out survey flights for swisstopo, the Swiss Federal Office of Topography.

Air-based intelligence gathering

Air-based platforms and sensors provide intelligence gathering services all year round to authorities such as the Border Guard or the police. These services include surveillance, reconnaissance, target detection and tracking, and survey flights for mapping. If required, air-based platforms and sensors are used for the operational command of ground forces or in the search for missing persons.

UAVs (, helicopters ( and fixed-wing aircrafts are equipped with sensors and can provide air reconnaissance services in all situations by day and night. The air force also manages a technical service tasked with creating, analysing and archiving aerial images (

The Air Force comprises the Air Force Operations Centre, five air base commands, the air force training and education brigade and Anti-Aircraft Training Unit 33.

The operations centre is responsible for the air force's operational readiness and carries out national and international operations. 

Air Display Events

Badge Swiss Air Force

Swiss Air Force Papiermühlestrasse 20
CH-3003 Berne


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Swiss Air Force

Papiermühlestrasse 20
CH-3003 Berne