Finland’s F-35 preparations
April 18, 2025
The delegation from Lockheed Martin, the Finnish Defence Ministry and the Finnish Air Force visited the Karelian Air Wing (the Karjalan Lennosto at Rissala), the Lapland Air Wing (the Lapin Lennosto at Rovaniemi) and Group Patria at Jämsä Halli, between 16–17 April, 2025. The two Finnish Air Force bases are the homes of the Finnish F/A-18 Hornet bases, and will be home to Finland’s F-35As when they arrive. Patria is building new production facilities in Jämsä Halli, where the production and assembly of structures for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighters will be undertaken.
The Lockheed party was led by Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II Programme.
McIntosh said that: ”I am grateful to have visited Finland to see the team’s preparations to integrate the F-35 into the Air Force. We are proud to support F-35 Programme & explore ways to continue to grow our strong partnership.”
Henrik Elo, F-35 Programme Director, said that: ”Finland’s model sparked interest as we presented an overview of Finnish Air Force capabilities and its ability to operate effectively in a contested environment, leveraging a dispersed operations concept and our underground facilities across the country.”
The Finnish government selected the F-35A as the winner of its HX Fighter Competition on 10 December, 2021. The Finnish Air Force is to receive 64 F-35A aircraft, a sustainment solution tailored to Finnish security of supply requirements, and a comprehensive training programme.
