The famous aerobatic team, a national symbol of precision, will be officially replaced by the "PC-7 Team" with turboprop aircraft, a choice dictated by reasons of economic and environmental sustainability

A crucial chapter in the history of Swiss military aviation is set to close definitively by 2027. Following the decision taken by the National Council and the Council of States as part of the 2025 Armament Program, the Patrouille Suisse, the celebrated aerobatic team of the Swiss Air Force, will stop performing aboard its iconic Northrop F-5 Tiger II jets. This retirement, formalized after a parliamentary debate that prioritized savings and sustainability, paves the way for a future in which aerial displays will be turboprop, entrusted to the PC-7 Team.

The choice is clear: the ageing F-5 Tiger aircraft, introduced in the 1970s and in need of costly upgrades to avionics and safety systems, will be taken out of service to enable estimated savings of 44 million francs per year, funds that will be redirected to priority programs such as the integration of the future F-35A Lightning II fighters. As emphasized by the Federal Department of Defence, the objective is to rationalize fleets to focus on more modern assets.

Despite the loss of the "wow factor" associated with the supersonic roar of the jets, the Swiss Army is aware of the enormous promotional and symbolic value of the aerobatic team, defined by the commander of the Patrouille Suisse, Nils Hämmerli, as "the showcase of the Swiss Air Force". For this reason, as stated by Army spokesman Mathias Volken to the Keystone-ATS agency, the most sensible solution is to guarantee continuity through the existing PC-7 Team. This team, although less well known internationally than the Patrouille Suisse (founded in 1964 and switched to the F-5 in 1995), has been performing since 1989 and uses the Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer.

The PC-7s are turboprop trainer aircraft that offer an operationally significantly more economical and low-emission solution compared to the Tiger IIs. Volken noted that the aircraft is "more economical and low in emissions", in line with the Swiss Defence's pursuit of greater sustainability. Despite the different visual impact, the pilots of the PC-7 Team, all serving full-time on the F/A-18 Hornet and employed in aerobatic activity on a secondary basis (a rarity worldwide), enjoy "great recognition also at the international level", ensuring the quality of the displays.

Of course, the news is a meagre consolation for the many fans of the Patrouille Suisse, whose affection for the red jets was recently expressed strongly: the organisers of the Federal Swiss wrestling festival in Mollis (GL) received around 70 protest emails after cancelling the team's display for sustainability reasons. However, enthusiasts will still have opportunities to admire the Tigers. The official programme for 2026 will be published as usual in the first quarter of the year. In the meantime, the PC-7 Team is already ready to take the baton: its next display is scheduled for October 3 in conjunction with the Stäfa (ZH) autumn festival, a taste of the "greener" future of Swiss aerobatics.