Swiss F/A-18C/D life-extension work completed; fleet flies into early 2030s

The work for extending the useful life of the F/A-18C/D combat aircraft of the Swiss Air Force is complete. The operational readiness of the Swiss F/A-18C/D fleet is therefore ensured into the early 2030s and thus up to the introduction of the new F-35A combat aircraft.

The F/A-18C/D combat aircraft of the Swiss Air Force have been in service since 1997. With the 2017 Armed Forces Dispatch, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse was tasked with implementing the project “Extension of the useful life of the F/A-18 combat aircraft” with an amount of CHF 450 million. The introduction of modernised systems for communication, navigation and identification as well as the modification of aircraft software, mission planning systems and flight simulators were already completed a few years ago. At the end of April 2026, a further important milestone was reached with the completion of the subproject for checking and renovating the aircraft structure. All these measures ensure continued operational readiness of all 30 Swiss F/A-18C/D up to 6,000 flying hours per aircraft.
Subproject for checking and renovating the aircraft structure completed
A comprehensive check as well as a technically complex renovation of the aircraft structure were required to extend the useful life of the F/A-18C/D combat aircraft. This structure renovation programme was a key subproject of the useful life extension and was successfully completed at the end of April 2026. It included the inspection and repair of numerous selected structural components and was implemented in close cooperation between the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse, the Swiss Air Force, RUAG AG and other industrial partners. As a result of the implementation of the structure renovation programme as well as regular inspections as part of further periodic maintenance, the airworthiness of all 30 aircraft is ensured for continued operation.
Remaining work until project completion
Some logistics deliveries are currently outstanding in the project for the useful life extension of the F/A-18C/D. In particular, these concern replacement materiel as well as support services for ensuring operation over the remaining useful life. The outstanding deliveries and the project completion as part of the approved commitment appropriation will take place according to current planning by the end of 2027.
With the useful life extension, the F/A-18C/D fleet can be deployed into the early 2030s and thus until implementation of the new F-35A combat aircraft to protect and defend Swiss air space.