Over the Finnish Line: Helsinki Welcomes Home First Two F-35 Jets
The $10 billion purchase includes 64 jets and begins Finland’s multi-year effort to replace its Hornet fleet, officials said.
- On Thursday, the Finnish Air Force presented the F-35A Lightning II at Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi, with President Alexander Stubb calling the arrival the beginning of a "new era" for Finland's defence.
- Finland ordered 64 F-35s from Lockheed Martin in 2021 to replace its ageing Hornet fleet, a purchase worth about €10 billion representing the country's largest defence acquisition.
- Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the F-35 programme will integrate with the Israeli-made David's Sling air defence system, while Stubb linked the acquisition to Finland's role in Nato and its deepening defence relationship with the United States.
- The arrival coincides with delays to the wider F-35 programme's Block 4 modernisation; F-35 Joint Program Office director Gregory Masiello testified that only 22 of 55 planned capabilities are currently in service.
- Finland plans to reach full operational capability by 2031, as Stubb noted the aircraft serve as a deterrent, describing Moscow's view of Finland as a "predictable and safe neighbour" while ensuring Russian-built MiG fighters remain outside Finnish airspace.
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First F-35 fighter jets arrive in Finland
Finland has marked the arrival of its first F-35 fighter jets with a ceremony at Rovaniemi, beginning a transition that will replace the Air Force’s Hornet fleet by 2031. President Alexander Stubb said the aircraft would strengthen Finland’s defence and deterrence for decades. The Finnish Air Force presented the F-35A Lightning II at Lapland Air Wing on Thursday. An F-35 and a Hornet took part in demonstration flights after low cloud initially t…
The fighters will be welcomed at a ceremony, where President Stubb, among others, will speak. The live broadcast from Rovaniemi will begin at approximately 11:10.
President of the Republic Alexander Stubb and other guests will welcome Finland's new fighter jets at a celebration held at the Lapland Air Force Base.
The era of the F-35 fighter jets begins with an official welcoming ceremony.
Finland’s first F-35 Lightning II fighters begin phased fighter transition, with NATO integration and Arctic security central to operational plans
Finland presented its first two F-35A Lightning II fighters in Rovaniemi on October 1 as it begins building a capability intended to serve into the 2060s.
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