Finland’s first F-35A Lightning II, tail number JF-501, has completed final assembly at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility. This milestone confirms that the Finnish Air Force’s HX program is on track for 2026 deliveries and U.S.-based pilot training.
Final Assembly and Paint Preparations
On 30 October 2025, the Finnish Air Force announced that JF-501 had passed final assembly and was moving to the paint shop. The remaining seven aircraft in the first batch have completed structural construction and are entering final testing and low-observable coating phases.
Features of the F-35A
The F-35A is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter designed for precision strikes, air superiority, and seamless integration with allied forces. The conventional takeoff and landing variant chosen by Finland will replace the F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet and features the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, electro-optical and distributed aperture sensors, secure data links, and TR-3 architecture ready for Block 4 upgrades.
Accelerated Path of the HX Program
Finland launched the HX Program to replace 64 Hornets and selected 64 F-35A Block 4s in December 2021. Lockheed Martin began work on the first Finnish jet in late 2024, and the airframe rolled out a year later, highlighting both the maturity of the Fort Worth line and Finland’s commitment to the 2026 operational target.
Pilot and Ground Crew Training
Finnish pilots and maintenance crews are undergoing academic and simulator training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. They will then move to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, where the first eight Finnish F-35As will be temporarily based alongside other NATO trainees.
European Trend and Strategic Importance
The F-35 aligns Finland with the majority of European allies. Its stealth and sensor fusion capabilities, integrated with NATO air defense networks, enhance operations along the Russian border and in Arctic conditions. Its rapid target detection and classification allow commanders to quickly decide whether air, land, or naval assets are best suited to strike.
Industrial and Logistical Contributions
Deliveries will begin in Rovaniemi in 2026 and expand to Karelia Air Wing in 2028. Patria’s Linnavuori facility will locally assemble and maintain F135 engines, ensuring Finland’s sovereignty over sustainment and integration into NATO logistics.
Financial Scale and Program Significance
The HX package was capped at approximately €10 billion, with U.S. FMS agreements covering 64 F-35A Block 4 aircraft, engines, training, and support valued at €8.4–9.4 billion. This is Finland’s largest defense procurement and one of the largest single-customer F-35 deals in Europe. The program links long-term maintenance and logistics to Finnish territory.
Significance of JF-501 Completion
The completion of JF-501 provides tangible evidence that Finland’s transition from Hornets to a fully networked fifth-generation air force is on schedule. When the first aircraft is unveiled in December 2025, Helsinki will demonstrate that its air defense modernization is proceeding exactly as planned.
