Finnish Air Force enhances capabilities with new fleet amid growing international ties

Currently, Finland operates various aircraft types, including Boeing F/A-18 Hornets and BAE Hawk trainers. It also participates in multinational initiatives like the Heavy Airlift Wing based in Hungary.

The Finnish Air Force remains vigilant in protecting national airspace and supporting military operations. Recent deployments include a detachment to Iceland for NATO Air Policing Missions.

Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir remarked on this cooperation: “The participation of Finland in the Icelandic Air Policing Mission is a significant milestone which demonstrates how Finland and Sweden‘s entry into NATO strengthens and deepens our defense cooperation and contributes to our security.”

As global tensions rise, discussions about better coordination among NATO states are ongoing. Major General Christopher Niemi from the U.S. Air Force emphasized that projecting power from overseas bases may no longer be viable under new threats.

The future integration of F-35s promises to expand FINAF's mission capabilities substantially. Major General Juha-Pekka Keränen highlighted this advancement: “The scope of FINAF fighter aircraft’s operations will widen substantially from what we currently have... The F-35 capability is clearly superior to that of the Hornet’s."

Keränen also noted potential improvements through collaboration within NATO: "As a NATO member we must realise that we can get more out [of] the Hornet already now that we may have Norwegians, Danes, Americans and the Dutch here to support us."

Finland's future strategy looks promising with these advancements poised to bolster both air power and overall military capability.