Lockheed Martin rolls out first Finnish Air Force F-35A in Texas ceremony
December 16, 2025
In 2021, Finland announced it had selected the F-35A as its next-generation fighter jet, and today, Lockheed Martin ceremonially rolled out the first one.
Lockheed Martin unveils first Finnish Air Force F-35
After teasing the unveiling yesterday, Lockheed Martin has officially unveiled the first of 64 planned Finnish Air Force F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters. These are set to replace Finland’s existing fleet of 65 ageing F/A-18 Hornets.
Here it is – Finland’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multirole fighter. 🇫🇮
— Ilmavoimat (@FinnishAirForce) December 16, 2025
Aircraft JF-501 was unveiled at a rollout ceremony on 16 December 2025 at @LockheedMartin’s Fort Worth facility in the USA. 🇺🇸 #ilmavoimat #JF501 #F35programme #F35 @Puolustusvoimat @thef35 pic.twitter.com/FHRZd1mO6C
The ceremony was held at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility in Texas and included government and military leaders from the United States and Finland. Lockheed said it “marks a new generation of Finnish air power and strengthens strategic trans-Atlantic relations.”
Major General Timo Herranen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force, said, “In the Finnish operational environment, survivability, lethality, and cooperation are imperative.” He added that the stealth fighter will bring a “whole new level of capabilities” to Finland’s defence.
You could say Finland’s first F-35 is almost ‘Finnish-ed!’ 😉✈️
— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) December 9, 2025
The countdown is on — just 1 week until Finland’s first F-35 is revealed. Stay tuned for this historic moment! pic.twitter.com/jJDMPZRj95
Meanwhile, the Finnish Air Force posted in English, “Here it is – Finland’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multirole fighter. 🇫🇮 Aircraft JF-501…”
First F-35s to arrive in Finland in 2027
In a news release, Lockheed Martin stated the first F-35As will be delivered to the Finnish Air Force in early 2026. It will ferry to Ebbing Air Force Base, where Finnish pilots will be trained on the new fighter jet. The first F-35 is expected to arrive in Finland in 2027.
First flight complete. ✅
— F-35 Lightning II (@thef35) December 9, 2025
Finland’s first F-35 has successfully taken to the skies, a defining step for @FinnishAirForce future airpower. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/UeOOAGRhHX
Finland’s programme of record for 64 is currently the largest in Northern Europe, which includes Denmark (27) and Norway (52).
Norway has the distinction of being the first country to complete its programme of record, while Denmark is now in the process of bringing them into service. Denmark recently announced it will purchase another 16 F-35s, bringing the total to 43.
Lockheed says the jet will strengthen the different branches of the Finnish Defence Forces by connecting assets across domains. It will boost situational awareness.
At the ceremony, Finland pointed out that it is more than just an F-35 customer; it is also part of the global network of over 1,900 suppliers. Over 30 Finnish companies and academic institutions have partnered with Lockheed Martin.
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Suited for Finland’s challenging environment
Finland operates in an environment similar to Sweden. Whereas Sweden developed its domestic Saab Gripen to operate from rugged and dispersed airfields, Finland has opted for the F-35, saying it was the best option. Finland even judged it the most cost-effective option in 2021.
Norwegian and US Air Force F-35As have already operated from Finland’s prepared highway strips during exercises.
Most US allies with the requirement for a high-end fighter jet and the budget for the jet have opted the purchase the F-35A. According to CBC, a recent leaked report of the Canadian competition found the F-35A achieved a ‘near perfect’ score of 95%, while the Saab Gripen E trailed at 33%.
Sweden and France opt to invest exclusively in their own fighter jets, while geopolitics has played a role in cooling Portugal and Spain’s interest in the jet.
A new era in Finland's skies begins soon. ✈️ @FinnishAirForce @Puolustusvoimat @pvlogl pic.twitter.com/9pBw2qMyju
— F-35 Lightning II (@thef35) December 13, 2025
Larger air forces typically opt for a mix of 4th- and 5th-generation fighters, although smaller air forces, like Finland, typically prefer to have one fighter jet type.
Featured Image: Lockheed Martin
