This is the impressive moment a Swiss fighter jet made a smooth landing on a motorway.

The 1,000 mph Swiss military F-18 fighter jet landed in the middle of the four-lane A1 freeway near Bern, Switzerland on June 5.

Footage shows the pilot bringing down the plane for the emergency landing with pinpoint precision and slowing to a walking pace within moments.

After the jet has taxied to a stop, the ground crew cleans its windscreen while the pilot hands over what appears to be a flight log.

Swiss military officials explained that many of the country's motorways were built during the Cold War with special sections designed to withstand an emergency aircraft landing.

Military experts said the tests had been prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the return of war to Europe.

They explained: 'The Air Force currently only has three jet airfields, Payerne, Emmen and Meiringen.

'This means that it has concentrated all its resources in a few places, which makes it susceptible and vulnerable.

'To minimise this risk, the Air Force is relying, among other things, on decentralisation as a passive air defence measure.

'Decentralisation means having the ability to distribute people and material throughout the country within the shortest possible time.

'If possible, the Air Force's resources should also be able to operate from decentralised or, in some cases, improvised locations.

'This is why it took off and landed its F/A-18s on the A1 motorway near Payerne on June 5, 2024, as part of the 'Alpha Uno' exercise.

'In addition to certain sections of highway that were designed for such operations during the Cold War, former military airfields that are now used for civilian purposes are also suitable for the decentralised use of military aircraft.

'Due to the deteriorating security situation in Europe, the army wants to comprehensively and consistently strengthen its defence capabilities in all areas of operation.'