Derek Bower evaluates the Finnish aerospace industry as the nation’s air force celebrates its centenary while preparing to replace its Hornets.
Established as an independent entity on March 6, 1918, the Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat) – one of several national air arms celebrating a centenary this year – marked its first 100 years with a huge airshow in June.
Colonel Mikko Punnala, commandant of Tikkakoski Air Base (AB), said the event was designed to showcase the ‘home team’: “An early decision was made not to invite any foreign participants and to concentrate only on showing what the Ilmavoimat was in the past, what it is now and what the future may see.”
A notable exception was linked to Finland’s current quest for a replacement for its F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters, with all five bidders for the requirement present at the show in one form or another.
Finland has endured several bloody wars, followed by economic hardship. This is a nation that’s learned powerful lessons from a past that’s clearly influenced the way it looks ahead. When it comes to military procurement, it strives to negotiate pragmatic programmes that serve both domestic and international needs.
This holds true in ‘HX’, the requirement to…
