The fifth-generation American fighter, the F-35A Lightning II, will replace the Boeing F / A-18C / D Hornet aircraft of the Finnish Air Force. The Finnish Self-Defense Forces have selected the fifth generation aircraft in a tender under the HX program. This was reported by the Iltalehti newspaper with reference to sources in the field of defense and foreign policy.
If the Finnish government supports the selection of the F-35A as the new fighter, the decision will be approved within about ten days. Sources of the publication noted that the choice of the F-35A determined the characteristics of the aircraft and its service life. The operating countries of the F-35 Lightning II have pledged to support the platform until the 2060s.
The HX program was initiated in 2015. The tender involves the purchase of 64 new aircraft that will replace 62 F / A-18C / D Hornets of the Finnish Air Force. The Finnish side also considered Boeing F / A-18E / F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and Saab JAS-39E / F Gripen NG. In 2020, the aircraft were tested in Finland.
Earlier in a publication by RIA Novosti, the vulnerability of the fifth generation F-35 Lightning II fighters was described. Air refueling could rob aircraft of the benefits of stealth technology.
In October, The Drive reported on the preparation of a training battle between the Russian-developed Indian Su-30MKI and the Japanese F-35 Lightning II.
