Lockheed Martin on Tuesday hosted government and military officials from the United States and Finland at its F-35 production facility to mark the rollout of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the Finnish Air Force. The milestone signals a major step in Finland’s air force modernization and highlights closer trans-Atlantic defence cooperation.
Finland’s Minister of Defence, Antti Häkkänen, underscored the country’s role within NATO and its commitment to strengthening security on the alliance’s northern flank. He said Finland is making significant investments in domestic industrial capabilities, noting that Finnish industry’s participation in the F-35 program is expected to contribute not only nationally but also to the program’s global supply chain.
Finnish Air Force Commander Major General Timo Herranen emphasized the aircraft’s operational advantages, particularly in demanding northern conditions. He said the F-35’s survivability, lethality and ability to operate seamlessly with allied forces will significantly enhance Finland’s defence posture, with initial operations planned to begin next year.
The F-35 program includes 20 partner and customer nations, 13 of them in Europe, and the aircraft is currently operated by 16 military services worldwide. Officials said Finland’s F-35 fleet will improve integration across the Finnish Defence Forces and strengthen interoperability with NATO allies by enhancing information sharing and situational awareness.
Greg Ulmer, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said the aircraft will provide Finland with a decisive advantage in defending its territory while reinforcing cooperation among allied nations in the Nordic region and beyond.
Finnish companies are also playing a role in the program, with more than 30 firms and academic institutions involved as part of a global network of over 1,900 F-35 suppliers. Lockheed Martin said these partnerships include the transfer of advanced technologies and expertise to support growth in Finland’s aerospace sector.
The first F-35A is scheduled for delivery to the Finnish Air Force in early 2026 and will initially be based at Ebbing Air Force Base in Arkansas for pilot training. Finland plans to acquire a total of 64 F-35As, creating the largest F-35 fleet in northern Europe, with the first aircraft expected to arrive in Finland next year.