Two British Air Force F-35 fighters will visit Karelia Air Command next week, the Air Force said on Wednesday.
The incoming squadron consists of two F-35B Lightning II fighters and about 60 people. The unit will visit the Rissala base from Tuesday to Thursday next week.
The F-35 fighters participate in the daily training and drilling activities of the Air Force with the F-18 Hornetts of the Karelia Air Traffic Control. Flight operations take place in training areas near the Rissala base.
The mission is part of the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), in which Finland has participated since 2017.
The F-35 visit is also part of a complementary training and exercise mission with partner countries, the aim of which is to strengthen Finland’s defense capabilities and show the partner countries’ support for the Nordic countries.
Finland’s first F-35 fighter jets operating under the Air Force will be deployed in Rovaniemi in 2026.
Several joint exercises have been held with members of the NATO Alliance after Finland has expressed its wish to apply for an alliance. This spring, Finnish troops have been exercising in Estonia, four NATO vessels have docked in Helsinki, the Finnish Navy conducted the exercise with NATO members in the Archipelago Sea and the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö traveled to London as part of a meeting with JEF leaders. In addition to the speeches of NATO leaders, these exercises have shown support for Finland in applying for NATO membership.
Source: The Nordic Page