With the conclusion of Finland’s HX programme and Helsinki’s decision to opt for the F-35, US defence prime Lockheed Martin tightens its grip on Europe’s fighter market. Richard Thomas reports
The decision by Finland at the back end of 2021 to pin its future combat air aspirations on the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II represented another European win for the American company and its premier fast-jet platform, as NATO members, non-NATO allies and putatively neutral countries align with what is becoming the de facto ‘Western’ standard.
The conclusion of Helsinki’s HX programme – which began in 2018 with the winner being announced on December 10, 2021 – ended the hopes of Lockheed’s rivals, comprising Sweden’s Saab; US-based competitor Boeing; France’s Dassault Aviation; and the pan-European (but UK-led for the HX programme) Eurofighter alliance, which respectively put forward their Gripen E/F (along with the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft); F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (and electronic warfare-configured EA-18G Growler); Rafale and Eurofighter platforms. Finland’s evaluation of the offers was completed in Q3 2021.
The Finnish Air Force’s current combat air fleet consists of 55 F/A-18Cs and seven F/A-18Ds. It…
