Finland’s first F-35s presented at arrival ceremony in Rovaniemi

The Finnish Air Force presented its first F-35A Lightning II fighter jets to arrive in Finland to invited guests and media at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi on 1 October 2026.

A new era began for the Finnish Defence Forces when aircraft JF-510 and JF-512 landed at Rovaniemi Air Base at 5.45 pm on 18 September 2026. The new fighter fleet will form an integral part of Finland’s air defence well into the 2060s. Invited guests and media representatives had an opportunity to see Finland’s first F-35 fighters at an arrival ceremony held in Rovaniemi at the beginning of October. The ceremony involved the first F-35 flight of a Finnish pilot in Finland. 

Invited guests included President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force Major General Timo Herranen, U.S. Ambassador to Finland Howard W. Brodie, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office Program Executive Officer Lieutenant General Gregory Masiello, and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics President Orlando Sanchez Jr. Hosted by the Lapland Air Wing, the event was attended by approximately 400 invited guests and media representatives. The personnel of Lapland Air Wing were also present. 

The ceremony included an F/A-18 Hornet solo flight display and the first F-35 flight by a Finnish pilot in Finland. Lieutenant Colonel Jaakko Sointu was the pilot of the Finnish Air Force’s first F-35 flight in Finland. The event also featured the Finnish Defence Forces Combat Camera's video F-35 – Safeguarding Finland, and music was provided by the Finnish Air Force Big Band with Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen.

President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb emphasised the importance of the transatlantic partnership and security in the Arctic region.

‒ Finland getting the F-35 strengthens the transatlantic partnership. For us, the F-35s are about projecting power, security, and situational awareness in the Arctic. It’s about keeping the northeastern part of Europe safe.

Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen highlighted the importance of the F-35 fighter aircraft to the defence of Finland and the Alliance.

‒ The delivery of F-35s and their integration into Finland’s defence system strengthens both Finland’s and the Alliance’s deterrence and defence.  This capability will have a key role in European, Nordic and especially Finnish security. Europe will soon have over 700 fifth-generation fighter jets. This is a significant airpower and a powerful force multiplier for Joint operations. This also underlines that Europe is doing more, and especially the Nordic nations are deepening their cooperation in air the domain.

A new era for the entire Finnish Defence Forces

With the arrival of the first aircraft in Finland, the Finnish Defence Forces entered the F-35 era that will span more than 30 years together with the lifecycle of the fleet. The new F-35 fighter jets will be a key element of Finland’s defence well into the 2060s. Thanks to the F-35’s versatile sensors and weapon systems, the Finnish Air Force will be able to support the operations of the other Services and protect the vital functions of Finnish society more effectively than before. The F-35 will bring tangible added value to the capabilities of the entire Finnish Defence Forces, as highlighted by the Finnish aircraft type designation JF – Joint Fighter.

‒ What begins here is the introduction of a fifth-generation system built for the security environment we actually live in. The F-35 was chosen because it is designed for an environment like ours. Flying the F-35, our pilots can do the mission and come home to fly the next round. A fifth-generation aircraft that can see farther but not be seen, share information faster, strike accurately and survive longer is not a luxury here. It is a requirement, said Commander of the Finnish Air Force, Major General Timo Herranen.

‒ These aircraft exist so that Finnish airspace remains Finnish, so that deterrence is credible, and so that we can fight, if we must, as part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence. Rest assured; we will not confuse arrival with readiness. Arrival is just the beginning of the work, Maj Gen Herranen emphasized in his speech at the arrival ceremony. 

Growing European F-35 user community strengthens NATO’s collective defence

The F-35 will play an important role in both Finland’s national defence and NATO’s collective defence in the future. Since joining NATO in April 2023, Finland has contributed to strengthening the Alliance’s collective defence and deterrence. The growing European F-35 user community provides new opportunities for pooling and sharing resources among Allies.

Europe is expected to have more than 700 F-35 fighters in the 2030s. This will significantly bolster Finland’s defence and the interoperability of NATO air forces, as all current and future European F-35 operators, with the exception of Switzerland, are NATO members and thus Allies of Finland. One of the Finnish Air Force’s key objectives is to deepen cooperation with other European F-35 operators.

In 2025, Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium signed the “Capacity on Call” Memorandum of Understanding, which enables the pooling and sharing of F-35 fighter jets, personnel and weapon systems among the participating air forces. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) also participate in the cooperation through a separate arrangement.

A concrete step in this cooperation was taken at Ørland Air Base in Norway on 17 September 2026, when a Finnish F-35 pilot flew a Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 fighter jet. This marked the Finnish Air Force’s first F-35 flight in Europe. For Finland, the cooperation enabled by the “Capacity on Call” Memorandum of Understanding will develop and gradually become part of routine operations as the new F-35 fighters enter service.

In the future, pooling and sharing F-35 fighter jets, personnel and weapon systems will mean, for example, that Finnish, Norwegian and Danish F-35 pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel are prepared to work – and, if necessary, fight – as one integrated force. In addition, the ability to share compatible weapon systems among European F-35 operators will strengthen the logistics and security of supply of Finland’s air defence.

F-35 deliveries to continue until the end of 2030

The F-35 system’s capability will be built up gradually as aircraft are delivered from the production line, with deliveries continuing until the end of 2030. The first eight aircraft produced for Finland are currently being used by Finnish pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel for F-35 initial training in the United States. The first groups have already completed their training, and initial training for Finnish personnel in the United States will continue until early 2028.

F-35 training will also begin in Finland on a rapid schedule. Aircraft maintenance training will start in Rovaniemi later this year, followed by pilot training in January 2027. Finnish personnel who received their initial training in the United States will serve as instructors in close cooperation with U.S., Norwegian and Danish flight instructors and experts.

Further aircraft will be delivered to Finland during the autumn. The F-35 system will achieve initial operational capability (IOC) in early 2028, by which time the Lapland Air Wing will have introduced the F-35 into service and will operate the type exclusively. The Karelia Air Wing is scheduled to receive its first F-35s during 2028. Full operational capability (FOC) will be achieved by the end of 2030. Until then, the Finnish Air Force will operate the F/A-18 Hornet and F-35A Lightning II fleets in parallel.

Read more:
The F-35 Programme – Capability to the Entire Defence System

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Finland’s first F-35 fighters have arrived in Finland

17.9.2026
Finnish Air Force to cooperate more closely with European F-35 users