F-35 - Finnenes første maskin er i produksjon - The Aviationist

 

First F-35A Lightning II for Finland in Production

Published on: October 30, 2024 at 8:39 PM

 Kai Greet

 

Henrik Elo, Finland Air Force F-35 project manager, signing the bulkhead of Finland’s first F-35 at the Lockheed Martin production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. (Image credit: Lockheed Martin). Right: U.S. Air Force F-35A of the 48th Fighter Wing operating from a highway airstrip in Finland during an Agile Combat Employment exercise. (Image credit: Airman 1st Class Tabatha Chapman/U.S. Air Force)

The first F-35 Lightning II for the Finnish Air Force, JF-501, is now in production, with roll out expected in 2025. Finland selected the F-35 in 2021 to replace the F/A-18, ordering 64 aircraft.

During a visit to Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant in Texas, USA, on Oct. 28, 2024, retired Finnish Air Force colonel and current Finnish F-35 program director Henrik Elo signed his name on the bulkhead of what will become JF-501, Finland’s first F-35A Lightning II airframe.