Finland’s First F-35A Rolled Out, Marking Key Milestone in Air Force Modernization Lockheed Martin has completed final assembly of Finland’s first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet, designated JF-501, at its Fort Worth, Texas, facility. The aircraft, seen in primer coating before painting in its radar-absorbent gray finish, will officially be unveiled in December. Under the €9.4-billion procurement signed in 2022, Finland will acquire 64 F-35As to replace its F/A-18 Hornet fleet. The rollout marks a crucial milestone in Helsinki’s largest-ever defense program, reflecting its full integration into the Western defense ecosystem following NATO membership. The first eight F-35As will remain in the US at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas, for pilot training and familiarization. Aircraft from JF-509 onward will be delivered directly to Finland, where the Air Force plans to base them at Rovaniemi and Rissala by 2026 and 2028, respectively. The acquisition includes advanced weapons such as the AGM-88G AARGM-ER missiles, enhancing Finland’s suppression of enemy air defenses. Finnish defense firm Patria will participate in the F-35 industrial program, manufacturing components and providing sustainment — ensuring local expertise and lifecycle support. By 2030, the F-35A fleet will be fully operational, extending Finland’s airpower capabilities into the 2060s. The rollout highlights Lockheed Martin’s growing European customer base and Finland’s commitment to long-term defense modernization.
