HELSINKI- Finland has received its first two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, marking the start of the country’s transition to a new-generation fighter fleet. The aircraft arrived at Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi (RVN) on 18 September.
The two aircraft, designated JF-510 and JF-512, departed Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, on 15 September. They entered Finnish airspace at 5:21 pm and landed in Rovaniemi at 5:45 pm after an intermediate stop at Lajes Air Base in the Azores and mid-air refuelling. The aircraft were escorted by Finnish F/A-18 Hornet fighters.
Finland Begins F-35 Fighter Transition
The arrival of the first two F-35A aircraft marks the practical beginning of Finland’s F-35 programme inside the Finnish Defence Forces. The new fleet is planned to become a central element of Finland’s air defence and military combat capability through the 2060s.
The F-35 programme is replacing Finland’s existing F/A-18 Hornet fleet. Finland plans to introduce 64 F-35A fighters, with aircraft receiving registration numbers from JF-501 through JF-564. The first two aircraft delivered to Finland are JF-510 and JF-512.
The aircraft were ferried from the United States by U.S. Air Force pilots. During the international ferry flight, the Finnish national roundels were temporarily covered because the aircraft were being flown by American military personnel. The registration numbers and Finnish Air Force markings on the vertical stabilizers remained visible.
The arrival therefore represents more than the delivery of two aircraft. It starts the process of integrating the F-35 into Finland’s wider defence structure, including operations involving the Army, Navy and Air Force.
F-35 Adds New Combat Capabilities
The Finnish Defence Forces describe the F-35 as a major capability project and an important part of Finland’s future defence system.
The aircraft introduces advanced sensors, sensor fusion, low-observable characteristics, electronic warfare capabilities and an expanded weapons capability compared with the existing Hornet fleet.
The F-35’s sensor systems allow it to detect and identify targets while combining information from different onboard systems. The resulting information can support the pilot’s situational awareness and decision-making.
The aircraft can also share information with other forces operating on the ground, at sea and in the air through a networked defence system. This gives the F-35 a role beyond that of an individual fighter aircraft and allows it to contribute information to other elements of the Finnish defence system.
The Finnish Air Force also highlights the F-35’s internal fuel capacity, which provides greater endurance and operational range compared with the current fleet. Its low-observable design and electronic warfare capabilities are intended to improve survivability in contested operating environments.
The aircraft will also operate with Finland’s Army and Navy as part of an integrated defence system.
F-35 Programme Linked to NATO Operations
Finland has been a full member of NATO since April 2023, and the F-35 programme is being developed with the requirements of collective defence in mind.
The Finnish Defence Forces expect the new aircraft to strengthen interoperability with other NATO countries operating the F-35. The wider F-35 community includes several European operators, creating opportunities for common training, operational cooperation and interoperability.
Finland’s F-35 capability is therefore being developed as part of both national defence and NATO collective defence.
The Finnish Defence Forces state that the capability can be directed toward areas requiring additional air power and maintained where it is most effective for operational continuity.
Training Continues in the United States
Training for Finnish F-35 personnel is already underway in the United States.
The first eight F-35 fighters from Lockheed Martin Production Lot 17 allocated to Finland are being used for initial training involving Finnish pilots, aircraft maintenance personnel and specialists.
Training is taking place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. The training programme began at Eglin approximately one year before the first Finnish aircraft arrived in Rovaniemi, with some Finnish personnel already completing their initial training.
Training for Finnish personnel in the United States will continue into early 2028. After that, F-35 training will take place primarily in Finland, apart from individual courses.
Aircraft mechanic training is scheduled to begin in Rovaniemi in late 2026, while Finnish pilot training at the base is scheduled to begin in January 2027.
Finnish instructors who completed their initial training in the United States will support the training programme. Finland will also receive pilot-training assistance from other F-35 operators, including the United States, Norway and Denmark.
Rovaniemi Prepares for F-35 Operations
The arrival of JF-510 and JF-512 required preparations at Rovaniemi Air Base to support the new fighter fleet.
Infrastructure development across Finland is progressing alongside aircraft deliveries. At Karelia Air Wing in Rissala, infrastructure work is expected to be mostly completed in 2027 ahead of the first F-35 arrivals there in 2028.
Preparations are also underway at Satakunta Air Wing in Pirkkala and the Air Force Academy in Tikkakoski.
The infrastructure programme includes operational structures, facilities and apron improvements. The facilities must meet both Finnish national requirements and the security requirements associated with the multinational F-35 programme.
The aim is to create an infrastructure network that allows the aircraft to operate during normal conditions as well as emergency situations.
Finnish F-35 Fleet to Reach Full Capability by 2030
Finland plans to continue accepting aircraft from the production line through the end of 2030.
The initial operational capability is scheduled for the beginning of 2028. At that point, Lapland Air Wing is expected to have introduced the F-35 and operate the new fighter exclusively.
The Finnish Air Force will operate the F/A-18 Hornet and F-35A simultaneously during the transition period. Full operational capability of the Finnish F-35 system is planned by the end of 2030.
The first two aircraft arriving in Rovaniemi therefore represent the beginning of a multi-year transition rather than the completion of Finland’s fighter replacement programme.
Arrival Ceremony Planned for October 1
The first two F-35s will undergo post-ferry flight inspections following their arrival in Finland. During this period, the aircraft will remain out of public view.
The Finnish Air Force will hold an official arrival ceremony on 1 October for invited guests and media representatives. President Alexander Stubb, the Supreme Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, has been invited to attend.
The ceremony will provide an opportunity to publicly present the first Finnish F-35 aircraft after their initial arrival and inspection period.
Colonel Tuukka Elonheimo, who will become Commander of Lapland Air Wing on 1 October, is also scheduled to attend. He has served as Chief of the Foreign Liaison Office in Washington, D.C., since July 2024, coordinating between Finland’s F-35 Programme and the F-35 Joint Program Office in the United States.
Colonel Saku Joukas, the current Commander of Lapland Air Wing, will move to the position of Chief of the Foreign Liaison Office in Washington.
Finland Builds Toward a New Air Defence Era
The arrival of JF-510 and JF-512 establishes the physical presence of Finland’s F-35 fleet at home and begins the next phase of the programme.
The Finnish Defence Forces will now focus on training personnel, expanding infrastructure, accepting additional aircraft and integrating the F-35 into the country’s broader defence network.
With initial operational capability planned for early 2028 and full operational capability targeted for the end of 2030, Finland’s F-35 transition will continue throughout the remainder of the decade. The programme is intended to replace the F/A-18 fleet while strengthening Finland’s ability to operate independently and alongside NATO partners.
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