Finland has marked the arrival of its first two Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters in-country, following their touchdown at the Lapland Air Wing base at Rovaniemi in the north of the country on September 18. The inaugural pair of jets form part of a 64-strong order, worth around $9.4 billion in total, placed with the U.S. manufacturer in 2021.
The Finnish air force has received ten of its aircraft to date. Eight of these are temporarily stationed at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, where pilots are undergoing training.
Finland expects to achieve initial operational capability of its F-35 fleet at the beginning of 2028, when the Lapland Air Wing will transition to exclusively operate the type. The air force’s existing Boeing F/A-18 C/D Hornet fleet will be gradually phased out, with full operational capability of the F-35 expected by the end of 2030.
The air force intends to start training mechanics at Rovaniemi later this year. It noted that “compared with the Hornet fleet, the role of conscripts in operating the F-35 will remain virtually unchanged.”
The delivery mission involved six aircraft, three each for Finland and Belgium, flying from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth assembly facility in Texas via a stop in Portugal's Azores islands. However, one Finnish aircraft experienced an alleged technical issue, and will now wait until the next ferry mission: a pause necessitated by the requirement for dedicated air-to-air refuelling support.
Longer Range Missions
Finnish air force commander Major General Timo Herranen stated that “compared with our current fleet, the internal fuel capacity of the F-35 allows for extended endurance and a wider operational range.” He added that “the growing range of missiles, a diversifying and highly advanced weapon selection, as well as the aircraft’s jamming systems and stealth capabilities enhance combat effectiveness.”
However, while the F-35 brings a new stealth capability to the Finnish air force, Herranen noted that its acquisition “is not about the introduction of a new fighter, but integrating the F-35 into Finland’s entire defense system and NATO’s collective defense.” Finland officially joined the organization in April 2023. To date, the F-35 has been selected by 20 nations worldwide, including 13 in Europe.
Finnish defense and aerospace contractor Patria is also the first company outside the U.S. to manufacture forward fuselages for Lockheed Martin fighter aircraft. Earlier this year, Patria began assembling forward fuselages and landing gear doors for the F-35: a framework that will see it build 400 shipsets between now and 2042.
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