Ilmavoimat's F-35A formal rollout

Just a week after the first flight of Ilmavoimat’s (Finnish Air Force) F-35A Lightning II JF-501, the aircraft was showcased at the formal rollout ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s site in Fort Worth (TX).

The Lightning II was selected in December 2021 as the winner of Finland’s HX Fighter Programme, which aims to replace the ageing Boeing F/A‑18C/D Hornet fleet. Competing aircraft included the Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing Super Hornet, and Saab Gripen E.

Finland is procuring 64 F‑35A aircraft, all in the Block 4 (TR‑3) standard. The fighters will be operated by two squadrons: HävLLv 11 at Rovaniemi Air Base in the north (Lapin Lennosto / Lapland Air Defence Area) and HävLLv 31 at Kuopio-Rissala in the east (Karjalan Lennosto / Karelia Air Defence Area).

The first F‑35As are expected to arrive in Finland at Rovaniemi by late 2026. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is targeted for the end of 2027, with Full Operational Capability (FOC) planned by the end of 2030 as the Hornets retire.

Credit photo: Ilmavoimat