Finland prepares for F-35 fighter's arrival, contemplates fate of ageing F/A-18 Hornets amid NATO cooperation
Finland could choose to continue operating F/A-18s beyond 2030 if they remain in good condition, but this would likely be too expensive. (Photo: Finnish Air Force)
Finland is preparing to replace its aging fleet of F/A-18 fighters with the F-35A. The delivery of the new equipment is expected to take years, and the fate of the decommissioned Hornets remains uncertain.
Finland currently awaits the delivery of new F-35As to replace its fleet of 55 F/A-18 fighters. The first jets are set to arrive in 2026 with all 64 fifth-generation jets expected to land in Finland by 2030.
Talking to domestic media recently, Finnish Defence Forces spokesperson Tommi Sorvari said that introduction of the new equipment will take years. He said: ‘At some point, we have been able to acquire all the new equipment, and then, step by step, the old equipment will be taken out of use.’
Talking to Shephard RAND Europe assistant director for defence and security James Black echoed this
Access this article and other Decisive Edge Newsletter news content with a free basic account
Create account
You will also get one free Premium News article each week
Already have an account? Log in
More from Decisive Edge Newsletter
-
![Poland to spend billions of dollars on K9 howitzers as it continues massive equipment refresh]()
Poland to spend billions of dollars on K9 howitzers as it continues massive equipment refresh
The deal between Poland and Hanwha has been valued at US$2.6 billion and is part of a larger agreement for 672 K9 howitzers and 288 Chunmoo MLRS.
-
![Make or break: Can the European Patrol Corvette programme save shipbuilding in Europe?]()
Make or break: Can the European Patrol Corvette programme save shipbuilding in Europe?
With funding from the European Defence Fund and partner countries, the European Patrol Corvette programme has an opportunity to become the standard bearer for defence procurement and potentially offer a route forward for naval shipbuilding in Europe.
-
![Texelis goes alone as it unveils Celeris]()
Texelis goes alone as it unveils Celeris
Texelis and Nexter, a KNDS company, manufacture the Serval 4x4 lightweight multi-role armoured vehicle together but Texelis has started selling the rolling chassis of the vehicle as a separate system.
-
![Ukraine fields 5,000 homegrown drones amid Iran's debut of advanced Shahed-238 UAV]()
Ukraine fields 5,000 homegrown drones amid Iran's debut of advanced Shahed-238 UAV
Amid escalating tensions and technological advancements in drone warfare, Ukraine has reinforced its front lines with a delivery of 5,000 indigenous drones, paralleled by Iran's revelation of the new jet-powered Shahed-238.
-
![Exclusive: Full list of British Army $1 billion collective training programme bidders revealed]()
Exclusive: Full list of British Army $1 billion collective training programme bidders revealed
Internal documents obtained by Shephard have revealed a covert line up of companies, including Elbit Systems, joining the competition for the British Army Collective Training System (ACTS, previously known as CTTP).
-
![Boeing and Red 6 make moves on airborne augmented reality training]()
Boeing and Red 6 make moves on airborne augmented reality training
Boeing and augmented reality training specialist Red 6 have achieved notable progress in integrating advanced technology into training aircraft.
