Lockheed Martin has completed the final assembly of Finland’s first F-35A Lightning II, marking a major milestone in the Nordic country’s transition to fifth-generation airpower. The aircraft, designated JF-501, rolled out from Lockheed’s Fort Worth facility in Texas, appearing in a mint-green primer coating before receiving its signature low-observable gray radar-absorbent finish.
The official unveiling ceremony is scheduled for mid-December, after which the first eight Finnish F-35As will be stationed at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There, Finnish pilots and maintenance personnel will undergo hands-on training before aircraft deliveries begin to Finland. From airframe JF-509 onward, all jets will be delivered directly to the country.
The Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat) will base its F-35A fleet primarily at Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi by 2026 and Karelia Air Wing in Rissala by 2028, ensuring operational coverage across the nation’s northern and eastern borders. The rollout marks a major advancement in Finland’s defense modernization strategy as it fully integrates into NATO’s next-generation air capabilities.
Finland signed a $9.4-billion contract with Lockheed Martin in February 2022 for 64 F-35A fighters, following a competitive selection process that included bids from Boeing, Dassault, Saab, and the Eurofighter consortium. The aircraft will replace the F/A-18 Hornet fleet between 2026 and 2030 and are expected to serve until the 2060s. Finland also procured 150 AGM-88G AARGM-ER missiles worth $500 million to complement the F-35’s advanced strike capabilities. Finnish defense company Patria will manufacture and maintain key components, reinforcing domestic expertise and long-term support for the fleet.
