The first F-35 fighter jets have arrived in Finland
A new era in the history of the Finnish Defence Forces began on Friday, September 18, 2026, as the country's first F-35 fighter jets landed in Finland. The aircraft arrived at Rovaniemi Airport at 5:45 p.m., where they were received by the Lapland Air Command.
The procurement of F-35 fighter jets is one of the largest investments in the history of Finland's defense administration. These new-generation multirole fighters will gradually replace the current Hornet jets, which have been in service for decades. The new aircraft are designed to meet the challenges of today's security environment and significantly improve the performance of Finland's air defense.
The Lapland Air Command has been preparing for the arrival of the aircraft for a long time. Necessary modifications have been made to the Rovaniemi base to ensure that the new equipment can be put into service safely and efficiently. The arrival of the fighters is a significant milestone in the development of Finland's defense and in cooperation with international partners.
Over the coming years, more F-35 aircraft will be delivered to Finland until the entire fleet has been renewed. The Defence Forces announced that training and systems integration will continue on a tight schedule so that the new capability can be fully utilized as soon as possible.