Swiss, Italian air forces launch 12-day joint air exercises SIFEX

By Timo Kirez

GENEVA (AA) – The Swiss and Italian air forces on Monday began their 12-day joint air exercises, named SIFEX, in Istrana, in the Italian province of Treviso.

The first-of-its-kind air drills will serve to evaluate and develop Swiss air capabilities with those of Italians, as well as to improve interoperability, said a statement issued by Delphine Schwab-Allemand, spokeswoman for the Swiss armed forces.

The exercises aim to strengthen the Swiss Armed Forces' defense capabilities through international cooperation, it said.

The SIFEX exercises will involve F/A-18 fighter jets from the Swiss Air Force and Eurofighter, as well as F-35s from the Italian Air Force or Aeronautica Militare.

The Swiss pilots will improve their knowledge and skills in transnational air defense, with a particular emphasis on young pilots. They will be trained in day and night air combat within and beyond visual range over the sea at low altitudes, the statement said.

Fifty Swiss personnel are in Italy to participate in the planning and execution of combined air warfare operations (COMAO) as well as tactical considerations, it said, adding that a new module would be applied during the air exercises.

The exercise is part of a 2004 agreement between the two countries to implement joint activities in the context of military education and training for their armed forces.

The statement said the Swiss Air Force is unable to complete all of its training in Switzerland in accordance with international standards.

It cited reasons such as small and scarce training areas, altitude and speed limits, restricted flight operating times, restrictions on the number of aircraft movements at airfields, dense civilian air traffic over Switzerland, high population density, and consideration for population noise pollution.