The first F-35A fighter jet destined for Finland has officially rolled off Lockheed Martin’s assembly line, marking a new chapter in the modernization of the Nordic country’s air defense.
The American manufacturer Lockheed Martin announced on Wednesday (October 29) the completion of the first F-35A aircraft built for the Finnish Air Force. Images of the newly produced jet were released by the company’s European division.
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The decision to replace the fleet of F/A-18 Hornets with the modern F-35A was made at the end of 2021, when Finland signed a contract to acquire 64 aircraft, valued at approximately €10 billion.
According to the Finnish Defence Forces, the F-35 was selected for its superior combat capabilities, advanced sensor systems, and long operational lifespan, with plans to keep the aircraft in service at least until the 2060s.
On-schedule delivery
According to the official production timeline, the first fighter was scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2025 — a goal that has now been met. The second aircraft is expected to be assembled in the second half of 2026.
Training for Finnish pilots is set to begin later this fall, with the goal of achieving full operational capability for the F-35A fleet by 2030.
Local industry participation
The contract includes extensive industrial cooperation with Finnish companies. Patria will manufacture components for the F135 engines and, starting in 2030, will take on maintenance, repair, overhaul, and modernization tasks for these powerplants.
Additionally, Finland will be responsible for assembling the forward fuselage section of the F-35A, both for its own fleet and for international program customers. In total, 400 fuselage assemblies are expected to be produced under this agreement.
Source and images: Lockheed Martin Europe | @LMEuropeNews. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
