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The Swiss Air Force has received the green light from the Federal Council for the take-off and landing of F/A-18 fighter jets on the A1 between Avenches VD and Payerne VD. From June 4 to 6, 2024, the highway section will be closed for a maximum of 36 hours. Blick reported about this in mid-January.
The Federal Council decided this on Wednesday. The Federal Council continued that the planning was carried out in close cooperation with the Federal Road Agency (Astra) and the cantonal police of Vaud and Fribourg. As long as the highway section is closed, traffic will be diverted via the cantonal road network.
Test whether military fighter jets can be deployed from improvised locations
With the exercise on the A1, the Swiss army wants to test and expand the ability to decentralize its air defense assets. The air force wants to test whether its fighter aircraft can also be deployed from improvised locations – such as highways.
According to the Federal Council statement, the security situation in Europe has further deteriorated in recent years, mainly due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In order to continue to fulfill its core task of protecting Switzerland and its people, the military must consistently strengthen its defense capabilities in all areas of activity (ground, air and cyberspace).
Airspace protection is a key element of defense capability. In addition to the air transport locations in Dübendorf ZH, Alpnach OW and Locarno TI, the air force now has three jet airfields in Payerne, Emmen LU and Meiringen BE. This means that all of the Air Force’s assets are concentrated in a few places, making them vulnerable to long-range weapon systems.
Tests as early as the 70s and 80s
To minimize this risk, the air force uses decentralization as a passive air defense measure. The Federal Council continued that decentralization describes the ability to distribute troops and equipment throughout the country within a very short time.
The Swiss Air Force conducted similar tests with Hunter and F5 Tiger fighter aircraft on parts of the central plateau highway in the 1970s and 1980s. (SDA)
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
