Lapland—President Stubb names Finland’s first F-35 ‘Sisu’
The new high-tech fighter jets should be ready for air combat duties within a year.
Finland’s Air Force officially introduced its new F-35 fighter jets on Thursday at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi.
The jets represent the country’s most expensive procurement ever, at approximately 10 billion euros. In total, Finland has ordered 64 of the high-tech American fighters.
President Alexander Stubb gave the first aircraft a very Finnish name, ‘Sisu’. There is no direct English equivalent to the term, but it is generally understood to mean extraordinary perseverance in the face of extreme adversity.
Commenting at the ceremony, Stubb shared details of a conversation he had with US President Donald Trump about the jets’ capabilities.
“‘Alex, they are great! You just press the button and they fly by themselves,'” Stubb recalled Trump saying.
The US-made aircraft can fly nearly autonomously, identify threats, communicate with other fighters and evade radar detection. They are expected to excel at spotting small, low-flying drones — a growing necessity after months of Air Force drone surveillance over the Gulf of Finland.
After poor weather conditions initially delayed proceedings, the ceremony featured a Hornet jet’s air display and a peek at the F-35’s first manoeuvres in Finnish skies.
Two F-35s have arrived so far, with Lapland Air Command expecting to receive more of the fleet next year as it phases out its ageing Hornet fighters. The first F-35s should be ready for air combat duties within a year.
The jets’ total costs cover the aircraft, weapons and airfield construction, with expenses set to rise as systems are upgraded over the aircrafts’ lifecycle.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Military gives details about ‘generational level of investment’ coming to Yellowknife, CBC News
Greenland: As Greenland rejects Starlink, China and Russia tighten military ties, Blog by Mia Bennett
Norway: Norwegian F-35s track Russian bombers carrying long-range cruise missile, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian military to get fast, secure internet through trans-Arctic cable, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: U.S. Coast Guard Operation Frontier Sentinel already underway when Chinese ships arrvied in Bering Sea, Eye on the Arctic
