What does Finland's unexpected decision to buy a large fleet of 64 American fifth-generation F-35A fighter jets mean? It means the possibility of him joining the NATO bloc. Finland is a small country in Northern Europe with a population of only 5 million, highly developed, a high standard of living for its citizens, and in 2021 it has won the title of the happiest country in the world. Finland is a neighbor of Russia, what is the threat to St. Petersburg, Russia's northern capital, by joining NATO?
The Prime Minister of Finland recently said on this issue that Finland still has the opportunity to apply for NATO membership and must cherish the freedom of this choice. Finland is learning from the past and is retaining room for manoeuvre. The President of Finland also confirmed the opportunity to join NATO. Seriously, these public conversations are a very bad sign. Although the majority of the country's population remains opposed to joining NATO, its elites seem determined to join. Finland, which has long been neutral between Russia and NATO, is also a geopolitically important country that has chosen to remain neutral in the past and benefited from mutually beneficial cooperation with Moscow.
Now if Finland does join NATO and is paired with the F-35, this poses a lot of additional threats to Russia.
Let's see what Finland has and what they can get soon?
First of all, Finland has its own navy, the composition of which is very striking.
It includes 13 minesweepers, 8 missile boats, as escort ships, 2 landing ships and 12 auxiliary ships. In other words, Finland did not want to confront its Baltic opponents head-on, but instead bet on a strategy of setting up mine warfare, which the Finns could quickly dismantle if necessary. Soon, their fleet will get 4 new Boheyanma-class frigates. What does this mean in practice?
If you look at the map, you can see that the exit from St. Petersburg through the Gulf of Finland to the Baltic Sea is controlled by two countries, one is estonia blockade at any time, the other is Finland. We have previously discussed the possibility of Estonia using mine barriers to block the waterways of ships of the Russian Baltic Fleet.
If Finland joins the race, it will be very bad.
First of all, St. Petersburg, the former capital of Russia and Russia's second largest city, will be blockaded and Russia's sea lanes to Kaliningrad will be cut off.
Second, when Finland acquires the U.S. fifth-generation F-35A fighter jet, the risks in st. Petersburg and the Kaliningrad region will increase dramatically. Finland's 64 stealth aircraft would pose a very serious threat to St. Petersburg and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, as well as its air defense systems and the Baltic Fleet stationed there. Finland has also ordered 120 AGM-158 JASSM air-to-surface missiles to strike key targets. By the way, the F-35A can also be used as a carrier of nuclear weapons. The threat of American aircraft and cruise missiles to northwestern Russia will be absolutely real. A hypothetical nuclear airstrike on a metropolis like St. Petersburg from finland would be a great tragedy and an irreparable loss for Russia.
Thirdly, the Finnish army is highly trained and professionalized.
Finland's armed forces are relatively small, but in very good condition and meet all NATO standards. Military service for young Finns is considered an honor and the salary package is coveted because it allows you to build a better career further. Every year, more than 30,000 conscripts are recruited in Finland and another 35,000 reservists receive vocational retraining. From the history of the Second World War, Finland has a well-trained and motivated army. If it is reinforced by the United States and nato blocs, its strength will be multiplied.
Finland's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance is therefore highly undesirable for Russia, and this event must be avoided in every possible way.
But Finland also has weaknesses in Russia's hands. Finland's economy depends mainly on Russia, with natural gas coming from Russia, electricity coming from Russia, and coal coming from Russia. Since the Soviet era, the raw materials for the Finnish timber industry have come from Russia.
Once close to nato membership, Finland's largest welfare system, favored for more than 70 years, will disappear immediately.
In terms of natural gas, Finland itself not only has no natural gas, but also no PCBs. Most recent PCBs in Latvia. However, if Latvia also shuts down gas, Finland will not get any gas.
The same is true of Finland's grain and fertilizers, all imported, and they are becoming world-class strategic weapons in Russia's hands.
Therefore, if Finland dares to join NATO, Finnish prices will change dramatically.
Russian experts believe that Putin should react very harshly to Finland, especially because there is still time. Finland's F-35 will enter between 2025 and 2030, with a few more buffer years to go.