Finland receives its first two F-35 fighters — Breaking Defense

Finland has received its first two fifth-generation F-35 fighters, which arrived at Rovaniemi Air Base on September 18. A ceremonial event marking their arrival was held at the Lapland Air Command of the country’s Air Force. As Breaking Defense reports, the new aircraft are to be part of Finland’s air defense system into the 2060s.

Replacing Hornet fighters

In 2021, Helsinki ordered 64 stealth F-35s under a $9.4 billion deal. They are planned to replace the aging fourth-generation U.S.-made F/A-18 Hornet fighters.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen, Air Force Commander Major General Timo Herranen, U.S. Ambassador to Finland Howard W. Brodie, F-35 Joint Program Office head Lieutenant General Gregory Masiello, and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics president Orlando Sanchez Jr. took part in the ceremony. During the event, a Finnish pilot performed a demonstration flight in an F-35.

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Plans through 2030

The Finnish Air Force expects to achieve initial operational capability for the F-35 in early 2028 and full operational capability by the end of 2030. Lockheed Martin is expected to continue delivering the aircraft until the end of 2030.

Another eight Finnish F-35s are stationed in the United States for flight training and engineering work. The Finnish Air Force said that the aircraft’s ability to detect an adversary from a greater distance while remaining harder to detect itself is an essential component of the country’s defense capabilities.