The Finnish Air Force is approaching the introduction of the F-35 fighter aircraft, with the first jets expected to arrive in Finland in autumn 2026, announces the Finnish Air Force.

– Preparations for introducing the capability are progressing according to plan across all sectors, says Major General Timo Herranen, Commander of the Air Force.

The first aircraft will be stationed at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi (northern Finland, near the Arctic). Training and operational activities will commence once the aircraft have undergone the necessary acceptance checks.

The introduction of the F-35 system is already under way. Finland's first aircraft was handed over in December 2025 and is currently being used in the United States for training purposes. During the spring, a total of eight Finnish aircraft will be delivered to a training base in Arkansas, where Finnish pilots and technicians are training on the system. These eight aircraft will remain at the base until 2028 for training use.

Approximately 150 Finnish military personnel are undergoing training in the United States, including around 20 pilots and 80 aviation technicians. Pilot training is expected to continue until 2028.

In parallel, infrastructure and support systems are being built up in Finland. The base in Rovaniemi is being completed during 2026 to receive the new aircraft, while simulators are being installed for training purposes.

According to the Air Force, the F-35 will, in addition to strengthening air defence, also contribute to cooperation between the Army, Navy, and Air Force through improved situational awareness and information sharing.

– The Army, Navy, and Air Force fight together, and the F-35 brings significant capabilities to this. We are developing tactics and, for example, information sharing and fire coordination in close collaboration, including through war games and exercises, says Herranen.

Finland expects to achieve an initial operational capability with the F-35 system in early 2028. Full operational capacity is planned for the end of 2030. During the transition period, the new aircraft will be operated in parallel with the current F/A-18 Hornet fleet.

– The aim at all times is to achieve operational readiness, and to maintain uninterrupted readiness with the Hornet fleet in parallel with the introduction of the F-35, summarises Major General Herranen.

On 17 December 2025, NDS reported how Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen attended a ceremony at Lockheed Martin's manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, where the first F-35A aircraft destined for Finland was unveiled.