US approves F-35 and F/A-18 for Finland’s HX tender
The F-35 and F/A-18 have both been cleared for sale to Finland dependent on the outcome of a fighter aircraft tender.
The US State Department has approved two FMS packages for the F-35 and F/A-18 should one or other be selected as the winning aircraft for Finland’s €10 billion ($11.82 billion) HX fighter acquisition.
A package for 50 F/A-18E Super Hornet, eight F/A-18F Super Hornet, 14 EA-18G Growler aircraft, assorted weapons and subsystems, at an estimated cost of $14.7 billion has been cleared.
Similarly, approval for 64 F-35A aircraft alongside air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles and associated equipment, worth $12.5 billion has been granted.
HX test and evaluations of F-35A, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen E/F, GlobalEye, Rafale and F/A-18 and E/A-18G aircraft were completed by Finland during flight trials in January and February.
Helsinki is set to send best and final offer requests to industry competitors before the end of 2020, ahead of a contract award for the programme set to be issued in 2021.
New aircraft will replace a fleet of legacy F/A-18C/D fighters.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
H-X Fighter Programme (Finland)
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Dutch MoD targets two more frigates as part of future defence plans]()
Dutch MoD targets two more frigates as part of future defence plans
The latest defence memorandum from the Dutch government has suggested that funding would be increased, with the procurement of more frigates, F-35s and Leopard 2A8s expected.
-
![UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine passes £1 billion milestone]()
UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine passes £1 billion milestone
Ukraine’s defence secretary met his UK opposite number in London to mark the milestone and push forward with new defence deals.
-
![UK defence funding rocked by budget restrictions]()
UK defence funding rocked by budget restrictions
Defence spending cuts are implied by UK ministers’ commitments to help plug a public finance “black hole”.
-
![RTX’s unauthorised exports result in $200 million fine]()
RTX’s unauthorised exports result in $200 million fine
According to the US Department of State, 750 company violations were recorded from 2017 to 2023.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review asks public for views on future defence directions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review asks public for views on future defence directions
Currently serving military personnel, veterans, industry and academia have been invited to submit evidence to shape the UK’s future defence postures and spending.
-
![Defence business booms and order books build on the back of Russia–Ukraine war]()
Defence business booms and order books build on the back of Russia–Ukraine war
The half yearly and second quarter results of defence companies show mostly substantial increases in order books and sales, as supplying Ukraine, buying new equipment and replenishing stocks boosts contracts.
