The CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team and the F/A-18 Swiss Hornet Solo Display will not fly for the 2025 airshow season to focus resources on modernization and training.
The Royal Canadian Air Force and the Swiss Air Force have announced that they will suspend the flight demonstrations of the CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team and the F/A-18 Swiss Hornet Solo Display, respectively, for the 2025 airshow season. Both services mentioned the intention to focus the resources on the introduction of a new combat aircraft and training as the reasons behind the decision.
Both Canada and Switzerland, in fact, are introducing the F-35 Lightning II in their fleets to replace the CF-188 (commonly known as CF-18, Canadian variant of the F/A-18A) and the F/A-18C, respectively. It is unclear if the two services plan to resume the demonstrations in 2026, although it is considered unlikely.
The Selfridge ANGB airshow is always a good time, and this weekend was no exception. #Michigan thanks for the hospitality and look forward to next time. Our next show is in Barrie this weekend. #CF18Demo #RCAF100 📷 MK Photo pic.twitter.com/oFlhh2slXX
— CF-18 Demo Team (@CF18Demo) June 10, 2024
The CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team
The RCAF informed the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) two weeks ago that the CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team would not be part of the demonstrations’ program for 2025. Instead, the service will showcase non-aerobatic tactical demonstrations with CF-18s in their standard low-visibility livery.
Here is the full statement from the RCAF:
“The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is on the cusp of a period of modernization not seen since the Second World War. This period will impact nearly every fleet of aircraft and all members of the organization. The RCAF’s fighter force is no exception as it transitions to the fifth generation CF-35A.
“To commit more resources to this transition, for the 2025 Air Show season, the RCAF will not stand up its typical CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team, but will instead showcase a small number of non-aerobatic Tactical Demonstrations. These demonstrations will be carried out by our highly skilled and trained CF-18 pilots from Squadrons in Cold Lake and Bagotville, operating grey paint scheme CF-18s from the inventory available at the time of each air show. To limit the impact on the fighter force, it was also decided that the CF-18s will only attend a limited number of Canadian air shows [during the 2025] season.
“The RCAF remains committed to showcasing the talent, expertise, and dedication of its members to the greatest possible extent and looks forward to continuing its long and enduring relationship with the air show community. Please come find us at the ICAS convention to discuss if you have questions.”
We had a great time today at the Comox Air Show, and hope you enjoyed our performance as much as we enjoyed performing for you. We look forward to seeing you again next time! Our next show will be in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, in two weeks. #CF18Demo #RCAF100 @RCAF_ARC 📸Pat Cardinal pic.twitter.com/8C8e9FK8QT
— CF-18 Demo Team (@CF18Demo) May 19, 2024
This year the CF-18 used for the demo received a livery which pays tribute to the RCAF’s 100th anniversary. The livery was the result of a design contest and presents four themes: innovation and technology, air power, the personnel of the RCAF and the heritage of the service.
The 2024 airshow season saw the team performing at airshow across Canada, and in the U.S. and U.K. The participation to the Royal International Air Tattoo resulted in two prestigious awards, including Best Livery and Best Solo Jet Display by Captain Caleb ‘Tango’ Robert.
The F/A-18 Swiss Hornet Solo Display
The Swiss armed forces decided to reduce the aerobatic teams as a cost-saving measure, with the F/A-18 Swiss Hornet Solo Display suspended in 2025 to focus resources on the introduction in service of the F-35 and on training. In addition to this, the Super Puma Display Team will also change, while the new PC-21 Solo Display will perform only a limited number of displays.
Finishing off with Flares! 🔥
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Malta International Airshow was the last international display for Captain Yannick “Fönsi” Zanata from the Swiss Hornet Display Team.
Fönsi is due to perform his last public display at the upcoming Axalp on the 18th and 19th of October pic.twitter.com/WYSW9aJTIR
— European Airshows (@EuroAirshow) October 5, 2023
Here is the full statement from the RCAF:
To contribute to the cost-saving measures, the Swiss Air Force will reduce the deployment of its aerobatic teams. In particular, the flight displays of the F/A-18 Swiss Hornet Solo Display Team will be suspended, and the Air Force will waive the Swiss Para Wings team from Jan. 1, 2025. These measures will also allow resources to be allocated as a priority to the introduction of the new fighter aircraft.
For decades, the five aerobatic teams of the Swiss Air Force have taken part in around 50 events and displays in Switzerland and abroad during the year. From 2025, the Swiss Air Force will adapt the offerings of its aerobatic teams to ensure the consistent implementation of the cost-saving measures and the priority strengthening of defense capability. In concrete terms and with due consideration of the relevant political processes, the following measures will be taken:
- The F/A-18 Swiss Hornet Solo Display will be suspended from Jan. 1, 2025. In particular, this will allow the currently heavily stressed F/A-18 fleet to concentrate on deployments and pilot training;
- The Swiss Para Wings team will be discontinued from Jan. 1, 2025. Its public appearances will be replaced by performances by the Parachute Reconnaissance Company 17;
- The Super Puma Display Team will focus its program on demonstrating its capabilities in tactical air transport;
- The PC-21 Solo Display Team will be deployed as a new aerobatic team in a limited number of events, which will in particular illustrate the modern and future-oriented training of Swiss military pilots on the PC-21;
- the Patrouille Suisse will continue to perform with the F-5 Tigers on a provisional basis until 2027;
- the PC-7 Team will continue to perform without changes.
The number of performances – in the air and on the ground – and displays will be halved overall. Performances abroad will be an exception.
The Swiss F/A-18 display was a highlight at many European airshows and was highly appreciated for its high-alpha maneuvers. With the new defense strategy focusing on preparedness and adaptability in the rapidly changing global security environment, the Swiss Air Force gave priority to the operational readiness of the F/A-18 fleet.
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The CF-35 for Canada
On Jan. 9, 2023, Canada announced the finalization of an agreement with the U.S. government and Lockheed Martin with Pratt & Whitney for the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The selection of the F-35 5th generation aircraft as part of the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) Canada to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet of legacy CF-188 Hornets (local designation of the F/A-18) had been announced in March 2022.
“This is the largest investment in the RCAF in the past 30 years. The estimated investment for this project is $19 billion, which includes associated equipment, sustainment set-up and services, as well as the construction of Fighter Squadron Facilities in Bagotville and Cold Lake,” said the public statement released by the Government of Canada.
Although the decision to acquire the 5th gen aircraft only arrived in 2022, Canada has been a participant in the Joint Strike Fighter program since 1997. The first deliveries of these aircraft, which have been designated CF-35, are anticipated to begin in 2026, with a Full Operational Capability of the entire fleet expected between 2032 and 2034.
The F-35 for Switzerland
The Swiss Government confirmed that the procurement program for the F-35 Lightning II has been signed on Sept. 19, 2022. The contract, with a value of 6.2 billion USD, will provide the Swiss Air Force with 36 F-35s to replace the current fleet of F/A-18 Hornets and F-5 Tigers.
The F-35 emerged as the winner of the Air2030 evaluation program that was aimed at selecting the replacement for the Hornets and Tigers. The Swiss Federal Council based its decision on the extensive technical evaluation, which included four candidates for a new fighter aircraft (Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Boeing Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin F-35) and the F-35 achieved the highest overall benefit and at the same time the lowest overall costs.
The Swiss Air Force has also announced on Mar. 24, 2022, that Switzerland has come to an agreement with the US government and has stipulated that up to 28 of the 36 aircraft in total will be produced in Italy by the Leonardo company. Four other aircraft will be assembled directly in Switzerland by armaments company Ruag. The deliveries are currently scheduled between 2027 and 2030.
