Finland Chooses the F-35 Lightning II

In order to replace their legacy F/A-18 Hornets which have been flying for the Finnish Air Force or FAF since 1995, the Ministry of defence initiated a replacement program known as the HX challenge back in 2015.  The goal of the HX challenge was an ambitious one:  procure new multi role fighters while maintaining the FAF’s current numerical strength of 64 and do this with an allocated price cap of 10 billion Euros. These new fighters must be able to endure low temperatures along with harsh weather conditions common to Finland while still performing a diverse range of missions including air superiority, air to ground, anti-ship, reconnaissance, and the ability to conduct deep strikes to deter potential foreign attackers.  Upon choosing a new fighter, the legacy hornets would be phased out between 2025 and 2030, with the new fighter being expected to serve into the 2060s.

The ramifications of the F35 selection are significant for fighter aircraft manufacturers.  Finland joins the ever-growing group of nations that are adopting the F35 over sometimes more geographically closer options such as the Saab Gripen, the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon.


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