On December 10, 2021, the Finnish government announced the results of the bidding for the "HX Fighter Program". Unsurprisingly, the Finnish Air Force eventually selected Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II out of five models to replace the existing F/A-18 Hornet. According to the Finnish Ministry of Defence, "the F-35 is the most powerful, viable and affordable solution in the 'HX' program." ”
Lieutenant General Timo Kivinen, Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, said: "Multi-role fighters are vital to military defence and we have chosen the F-35A as the next generation fighter for the Finnish Air Force. ”
Major General Pasi Jokinen, commander of the Finnish Air Force, said: "The F-35 provides a stronger deterrent to Finland's defense system, and it is also best suited to support land and sea operations." The first aircraft will be received in 2025 as part of the training assets in the United States, and the first F-35 will be delivered to Finland in 2026. ”
So far, the total order for the F-35 worldwide has exceeded 3300. Finland also became the 15th user (Turkey excluded) after the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Poland, Singapore and Switzerland.
Bridget Lauderdale, general manager of the F-35 program at Loma, said: "It is an honor for the Finnish government to select the F-35 through a thorough and open competition and to welcome the Finnish Air Force into the F-35 family. This choice will allow Finland to protect itself and its allies for decades to come. The F-35 will usher in a new era of air power for Finland. ”
"We will work with Finland to deliver and sustain the F-35, and this project will provide Finnish companies with the engineering, manufacturing and digital capabilities of fifth-generation machines," she added. Production will continue until 2040 and maintenance will continue into the 2070s. ”
Bridget Lauderdale added: "The Finnish Air Force will receive 64 F-35As, a powerful weapons package, a tailor-made maintenance solution and a comprehensive training program, and Finland will gain vital capabilities to ensure security and stability in the region through the F-35s." ”
Based on the previous budget, Finland planned to spend 10 billion euros ($11.3 billion) to purchase 64 F-35As, 66 F135-PW-100 engines (64 with 2 spares) and support and maintenance equipment. Ammunition consisted of: 500 GBU-53/BII small-diameter bombs; 150 AIM-9XBlockII+ (Plus) Sidewinder air-to-air bombs; 100 AGM-154C-1 Joint Defense Zone Out-of-Zone Weapons (JSOW-C1); 200 AGM-158B-2 Joint Defense Zone Outer Space-To-Ground Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER); and 120 KMU-556JDAM guidance kits for GBU-31 150 KMU-572JDAM guidance kits for GBU-38/54.
Back in 2016, Finland launched the "HX" program (H for Hornet, X for new model) to update the existing fleet of 62 F/A-18 Hornets (55 C-7 D-).
The five bidders and products are: the BAE system Typhoon, Dassault Aviation Rafale, saab JAS-39E Gripen, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet BLK3 and Loma F-35A Lightning II.
One of the most capable air forces in the world:
The Finnish Air Force currently has 62 Hornets, 55 Cs are assembled by Finland itself, in addition to 7 two-seat Ds produced by Boeing, and 31 BAE system Hawk advanced trainers.
The Finnish Air Force has only 3,100 active duty and 38,000 reserves. With 93 advanced trainers and fighters on such a small scale, it is the most efficient air force in the world. By comparison, the Size of the Israeli Air Force is 34,000 active, 55,000 in reserve, and 684 aircraft.
You know, Finland has a population of only 5.53 million and a land area of 338,000 square kilometers (comparable to Vietnam). There will be 64 F-35As in the future, undoubtedly the world's most capable and richest F-35 fleet.
Finland is a highly developed and highly industrialized market economy with a GDP per capita of US$48,000 in 2020. Finland ranks first in both the world's Corruption Perceptions Index and Happiness Index rankings.
In terms of politics and economy, Finland is a member of the European Union; militarily, Finland is a non-NATO member, and like Switzerland and Sweden, Finland is a permanently neutral country.
The Finnish Air Force's "Hornet" is the same as the configuration of the U.S. Navy carrier-based version: the wings are foldable, with a tail hook, the front landing gear has an ejection slider hook to ensure that it can take off and land on aircraft carriers in the United States and France, and the Finnish Air Force often conducts interoperability exercises with aircraft carriers of the United States and France.
Where did the F-35 win?
"The F-35 is Finland's best choice" and is the world's premier 5th-generation multi-role stealth fighter, according to its official website. With stealth, sensor fusion and unmatched situational awareness, the F-35 will secure Finland's homeland for decades to come.
The F-35's stealth capabilities are unprecedented in tactical fighters, allowing pilots to respond to threats, complete missions and return safely without detection, Loma said.
In addition, the F-35 has the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter in history. Data collected by sensors is instantly shared with commanders at sea, in the air, or on the ground, providing an instant view of multi-mission operations. The Distributed Aperture System (DAS) sends high-resolution images and critical information to pilot helmets from six cameras installed around the aircraft.
The F-35 also has advanced electronic warfare capabilities that can interfere with other aircraft outside the zone — providing 10 times more effective radiated power than any conventional fighter jet; and can operate in areas closer to threats that are 2-3 times more effective than any conventional fighter.
In terms of life-cycle costs, Loma says the F-35 offers Gen 5 capacity at a price comparable to Gen 4. And in cooperation with U.S. and international users, we continue to focus on reducing operating costs. Since 2015, the F-35's cost per hour of flight has been reduced by 45 percent. A further 40% reduction is expected by 2025.
In terms of supply security, Loma is committed to Finland's undisturbed and unrestricted sovereignty.
In terms of strategic partnerships, LOMA supports Finland as part of the international F-35 operating community, which already includes countries such as Denmark and Norway, and LOMA supports Finland in improving the interoperability of F-35s with partner countries.
In terms of industrial engagement, LOMA is actively working with the Finnish defense industry to provide Finland with "unprecedented" opportunities for the production and maintenance of advanced fighter jets. Tailoring maintenance and supply chains for Finland, the F-35 will provide Finnish industry with high-tech jobs that other competitors cannot offer: this has been effectively proven in all F-35 participating countries.
Bidding options from other vendors:
Boeing's scheme is 50 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block III and 14 EA-18G Growlers.
Boeing emphasized the consistency, continuity and resulting cost savings in model changes: most of Finland's existing infrastructure already exists to fly the Hornet today and the Super Hornet tomorrow. Training and maintenance facilities can save 40%.
In addition, Boeing said that 14 EA-18G Growlers could provide Finland with a unique and powerful dedicated electronic attack capability.
Saab's program is 64 JAS-39E Gripen and 2 Global Eye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
Saab said: "With the excellent capabilities and availability of gripen, Finland can update its fighter fleet without compromising the number of fighters. ”
Saab highlighted the benefits of the two Global Eyes for the entire Finnish Defence Force. Committed to establishing the Gripen & GlobalEye System Center in Finland to ensure "the independent operation of the system and the sustainability of the system to grow by 2060". Saab also plans to establish an engine and aircraft final assembly plant in Finland and to transfer maintenance, repair and overhaul operations to local industry.
In addition to the F-35, Saab's JAS-39E Gripens are considered the best chance of winning. The two countries share a border and are both neutral outside NATO, and their air forces have regularly held joint exercises over the years to share each other's facilities and airspace. In addition to pilots and intermediate maintenance, the daily operation and maintenance of the two air forces are almost interchangeable.
Dassault Aviation did not publish the number of aircraft offered and the final offer. It is emphasized that the Rafale is the main fighter of the French Air Force and has been used by a number of foreign military users in India, Egypt and Qatar. Dassault called "choosing the Rafale F4 the right answer," which offers the ability to "perform the widest range of missions with the fewest aircraft."
Describing the Rafale F4 as an "all-rounder" rather than just a "multi-purpose" aircraft, Dassault Aviation has promised to provide Finland with operational capabilities independent of France and possibly to manufacture fuselages in Finland.
On behalf of Eurofighter and the British, Italian, German and Western Commonwealth, BAE Systems presented a "Best All-Around Package" package for Finland, highlighting Finland's opportunity to become part of Europe's largest defence cooperation project through Typhoon.
In the scheme, Eurofighters promised to set up assembly lines, engine maintenance facilities in Finland, participate in advanced radar and advanced missile research and development projects led by MBDA, and provide finland with more than 20 million new man-hours of employment over the next 30 years.
The great drama of the replacement is coming to an end:
With a total of 64 F-35As equipped, Finland's defense forces will take to a new level. You have to marvel: this "small country" of 5.53 million people, this permanent neutral country that is not a member of NATO, is an example in every way.
The F-35 could also be sold to Canada and Spain, and the Lightning II was in the final stages: eventual sales could be between 3400 and 3500 aircraft. With Europe and the United States having developed the next generation of advanced fighters, the replacement of the global air force from 4 to 5 is also coming to an end.
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