Finnish Defense Ministry has approved a fighter procurement program to replace its current fleet of Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets....
Finnish Defense Ministry has approved a fighter procurement program to replace its current fleet of Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
The HX fighter project was launched after a report by working group suggested a multi role fighter to replace the Finnish Air Force F/A-18 fighter fleet which will be phased out from 2025.
Tender for the progam will be floated in early 2019 and contract are expected to be signed in 2021.
The capabilities of Finnish Hornet fleet will degrade in the 2020s and the most significant degradation falls on its interdiction capability. Extending its structural life and implementing a new, sizeable mid-life upgrade which would delay replacement by five years would require 1.2 billion Euro.
The life-span of the Hornet fleet is limited by three main factors: weakening of relative capabilities, fatigue of structures and the availability of the aircraft’s systems, spare parts and software. To extend the life-span of the Hornet fleet would not be cost-effective.
Possible contenders for the program include the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Saab Gripen and the Lockheed Martin F-35.
The F-35 will be in a better position to win the contract, as it has got the stealth capability which will be requisite for that period and would probably be the only fighter in production.
Finland's neighbors including Russia, Sweden and Norway by the time will will field improved aircraft, that will surpass the present Hornet's capability.
Norway is replacing its F-16AM/BM fighters with F-35A aircraft during 2019–2025 and Sweden will introduce 70 Saab JAS-39E Gripen aircraft during 2023–2027.
Russia, Finland's major threat in the region, will add fifth generation T-50 stealth fighter, improved MIG-31BM interceptors, MIG-35 and hundreds of other fighters to its fleet in 2020s.
Finland operates 62 F/A-18 C/D versions which where acquired in the 1990s.
