The EUR 10 billion acquisition is the largest material acquisition in Finnish history. highlighted Helsingin sanomat newspaper.
Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen (Central) said on Friday that the F-35A offered the best military performance for the needs of the Finnish Defense Forces. He saw that the acquisition would have a significant impact on national defense capabilities for at least the next 30 years, a view shared by the Commander of the Defense Forces. Timo Kivinen.
Kaikkonen pointed out that the annual costs of the fighters do not exceed the limit of EUR 250 million set for their estimated useful life. The machines will be in use until the 2060s.
“As a consolation to all my worries about the price, I can say that we don’t have to make such a big investment every year,” he commented at the press conference, also paying attention to the employment of industrial cooperation. provided for in the contract.
He revealed that the cooperation will have a direct employment impact of 4,500 man-years and an indirect 1,500 man-years, and the agreement will involve the production of 400 machine fronts and the creation of capacity for independent maintenance. engine and other parts in Finland.
“This is good news for the Finnish defense industry.”
The other four candidates to replace the aging fighter jets were the Boeing F / A Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Saab Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon.
Candidates were first assessed on the basis of three starting criteria: affordability, industrial cooperation and security of supply. Three candidates meeting the initial criteria were then assessed on the basis of military capability.
Commander of the Finnish Air Force Pasi Jokinen said the F-35 received a rating of 4.47 for military capability. The 3.81 points awarded to the second best candidate fell short of the required minimum of 4.0 points.
Kaikkonen assured that the choice will not weaken defense cooperation with Sweden.
According to Helsingin Sanomat, the Board of Directors approved the acquisition unanimously after a few hours of discussion on Friday. Although the Left Alliance attached to the decision a statement stressing that the cost of the project must not increase, the governing parties could no longer oppose or direct the decision to another candidate by approving the acquisition and its budget earlier.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page