Last Thursday, two Norwegian F-35A fighter jets achieved a historic feat by landing on a highway in Finland, marking a significant moment for military cooperation between the Nordic countries and NATO.
+ Click here to watch the video
The event took place in Tervo, North Savo, in central Finland, following a joint training session with the Finnish F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
General Eirik Kristoffersen, Chief of Norwegian Defence, emphasized the importance of this operation for regional defense strategy: “This operation not only demonstrates the coordination capability between the Nordic countries but also strengthens our concept of dispersion, enhancing survivability in potential conflicts.”
This was the first time F-35A fighter jets landed on a highway, a practice previously executed by the United States with variants of the same model. Major General Rolf Folland, Chief of the Norwegian Air Force, explained that the use of highways significantly expands landing options and reduces aircraft vulnerability on the ground.
The event also served to bolster military-air cooperation in the Nordic region, including the initiative for a new Nordic air operations center focused on the Arctic format. Regular exercises such as the Arctic Fighter Meet and Arctic Challenge Exercise are integral to this cooperation, involving air forces from Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
This milestone in Nordic cooperation and NATO strategy highlights the continuous development and integration of defense capabilities in the region, preparing allied forces for a broader spectrum of defense operations.
Photo and video: Twitter @selshevneren. Source: highnorthnews. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.