Finland’s first two F-35A fighters arrived at Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi on 18 September, giving the Finnish Air Force its initial aircraft in the Lockheed Martin-led replacement programme for the country’s F/A-18 Hornet fleet. The jets, tail numbers JF-510 and JF-512, were ferried by U.S. Air Force pilots and escorted on the final leg by Finnish Hornets before landing shortly after entering Finnish airspace.
The aircraft departed Fort Worth on 15 September and stopped for refuelling at Lajes Air Base in the Azores before continuing north to Finland. The arrival opens domestic F-35 operations at Rovaniemi, which becomes the first Finnish base to host the type. The service plans post-ferry inspections before a formal presentation ceremony on 1 October.
Finland ordered 64 F-35As to replace its Hornets, with the new fleet due to take over progressively over the coming years. The Finnish Air Force has set initial operational capability for early 2028 and full operational capability for the end of 2030.