The first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet for Finland has successfully completed its final assembly at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant in Texas, advancing the country’s move toward fifth-generation air dominance. The newly built jet, identified as JF-501, was revealed in a primer finish and will soon receive its signature stealth gray coating before its formal unveiling in December.
After the ceremony, the initial batch of eight F-35As will be temporarily deployed to the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, where Finnish pilots and technical teams will undergo comprehensive operational training. Subsequent aircraft, starting from JF-509, will be delivered directly to Finland. The fleet will be distributed between the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi by 2026 and the Karelia Air Wing in Rissala by 2028.
The $9.4-billion procurement, finalized in February 2022, was part of Finland’s HX Fighter Program, which selected Lockheed Martin’s F-35A over offers from Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Saab, and the Eurofighter consortium. The 64 stealth fighters are slated for delivery between 2026 and 2030, replacing the aging F/A-18 Hornet fleet and ensuring service longevity well into the 2060s.
To bolster strike capabilities, Finland also acquired up to 150 AGM-88G AARGM-ER missiles worth approximately $500 million, with deliveries aligned to the F-35A induction schedule. Furthermore, local defense manufacturer Patria has been tasked with producing and maintaining essential aircraft components, ensuring industrial participation and long-term logistical support within Finland’s defense ecosystem.
