Another neighbor of Russia – Finland – has taken an official decision to buy American F-35A Lightning II fighters. The corresponding decision published the Finnish government.
We are talking about purchasing 64 aircraft modifying Block 4. Supply of the first fighters that will be used to train personnel are expected in 2025. In 2028-2030, Finnish F / A-18C / D Hornet fighters must be completely replaced with F-35A Lightning II.
The cost of the procurement program (together with the acquisition of missile armament) is 10 billion dollars. The contract involves the production of individual elements of the F-35A Lightning II in Finland.
Earlier that Finland in the F / A-18C / D Hornet replacement tender chose F-35A Lightning II with reference to the sources reported Edition Iltalehti.
In September, in the presentation of the American Corporation, Lockheed Martin, represented at the 27th International Exhibition MSPO 2021, was described that in the current decade in Europe it is planned to deploy 13 permanent airbases with 450 aircraft F-35 Lightning II. According to the map shown in the appropriate slide, in the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Belgium and Poland will be two airbases with such fighters, whereas in Denmark – one. Four of 13 objects have already been commissioned. The deadlines for the start of the full work of the other eight airbases are installed. The final decision on the 13th object (near the Polish city of Sadvedin) has not yet been accepted.
These plans did not take into account the purchase of aircraft Switzerland and Finland.