Helsinki has approved the purchase of AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM missiles to arm its incoming F-35A Lightning II fighters, marking a critical milestone in Finland’s air combat modernization program. The move supports the country’s broader shift away from the Hornet era and reinforces interoperability with NATO and allied air forces at a time of increased military pressure across Northern Europe.
The Finnish Ministry of Defence confirmed that Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen authorised the acquisition via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process, with Raytheon as the prime contractor. The sale received U.S. congressional approval in September 2025 and includes not only the missiles, but also training, logistics support, spares, documentation, transportation, and U.S. government services, reducing integration risk as Finland introduces a new frontline fighter.
The AIM-120D-3 represents the most up-to-date AMRAAM configuration, incorporating refreshed electronics and updated guidance architecture to remain effective against modern countermeasures and evolving air threats. The design emphasizes software-driven upgrades, allowing performance improvements without the need for major hardware redesigns, in line with contemporary air-combat development practices.
Finland will allocate the D-3 variant specifically to its F-35 fleet, while retaining earlier AMRAAM versions for F/A-18 Hornet operations and the Army’s NASAMS-based surface-to-air missile units. By separating inventories, Finland ensures the F-35 force enters service optimized for advanced beyond-visual-range engagements, while preserving proven missile stocks for legacy aircraft and ground-based air defence roles.
