New F-35 Fighter Jets En Route to Finland
Source: iStock.com/rancho_runner
Finland’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets are currently being ferried to Finland, reports Lentoposti.
According to media reports, three of Finland’s new fighter jets flew from Fort Worth, Texas, to the Azores on Tuesday, September 15, covering some 6,200 kilometers with the support of aerial refueling tankers. Three Belgian F-35 fighters also accompanied the flight.
The Finnish Air Force has not confirmed the news to Yle, stating instead that it intends to announce the matter only after the aircraft have arrived in Finland.
The Air Force has previously stated that the aircraft will be flown to Finland by American pilots.
The Air Force will present the new F-35 fighter jets in Rovaniemi on October 1. Lieutenant Colonel Markku Vihersalo, Chief of Staff of the Lapland Air Command, told Yle in July that the command is ready to receive the aircraft, even though the final construction of the base will take several more years.
The first Finns began initial F-35 training in Florida in February, and in April, an Air Force pilot flew the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighter for the first time.
64 Fighter Jets for Finland from Lockheed Martin
Back in December 2025, Marshall Shepard, vice president for F-35 customer programs at the US-based manufacturer Lockheed Martin, highlighted the collaboration between the Finns, the Americans, and Lockheed Martin.
“It marks the beginning of a new era for the Finnish Air Force. For us at Lockheed Martin, it is an honor to be part of this milestone,” Shepard says.
All 64 new fighters are expected to be in Finland within five years, and flight training will begin soon.
According to Shepard, the F-35 program will also benefit Finland economically.
“It creates significant long-term employment opportunities, primarily within Finland’s aviation and technology industries.”
To date, Lockheed Martin has already collaborated with more than 30 Finnish entities.
A prime example, according to Shepard, is that Patria will manufacture 400 forward fuselage sections and 400 landing gear doors for F-35 fighter jets. This marks the first time forward fuselages are being manufactured outside the United States.
Shepard notes that the first of these 400 units will be installed on Finnish aircraft, with subsequent units going to other customers.
“In addition, Finland’s industrial package includes around 17 other defense projects. These go beyond traditional fighter aviation projects, extending into space technology, artificial intelligence, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and target acquisition systems, thereby enhancing the capabilities and benefits for Finland’s defense.”
Fifth-Generation Fighter
According to Shepard, the F-35 is the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter jet. The fifth-generation fighter is a state-of-the-art, multi-role stealth aircraft that combines advanced sensor technology, high pilot situational awareness, onboard automation, and programmable capabilities.
The fighter is designed to operate seamlessly within networked air warfare.
“As my pilot friends have told me, these advantages make a clear difference. Stealth capabilities make the aircraft less visible to radar, and its integrated sensor system enables threat detection on an unprecedented scale. These capabilities keep the pilot safe, but the F-35’s ability to operate alongside other assets allows for data sharing between platforms, making it even more formidable,” Shepard explains.
F-35 fighters undergo periodic upgrades and modernization through “Block” updates, keeping the aircraft a step ahead.
According to Shepard, future upgrades will include improved sensors and increased weaponry, as well as the integration of artificial intelligence.
“With these measures, we ensure that Finland can meet its needs for decades to come.”
700 F-35 Fighter Jets in Europe
According to Shepard, NATO membership and the acquisition of F-35 fighters enhance defense interoperability because the F-35 jets communicate with one another.
“Participation in NATO and the F-35 program gives Finland the opportunity to leverage the alliance’s logistics network. With the F-35 system, we utilize a shared spare parts inventory,” Shepard explains.
“The F-35 architecture is designed to support coalition-based base operations across different regions, helping to meet operational needs even when an area is under pressure,” he continues.
The F-35 fighter has been selected by 20 NATO nations, 13 of which are in Europe. According to Shepard, this directly correlates with faster and closer defense cooperation.
“Looking ahead, there will be over 700 F-35 fighters operated by NATO countries in Europe during the 2030s.”
Source:
- Yle (in Finnish)
- MTV Uutiset (in Finnish)
- MTV Uutiset (in Finnish)