First Finnish F-35 jets expected in Rovaniemi this afternoon

Finland’s first F-35 fighter jets are expected to arrive in Rovaniemi this afternoon, Yle reports. The Finnish Air Force has not confirmed that the aircraft will arrive on Thursday.

The anticipated arrival has drawn several local aviation enthusiasts to Rovaniemi Airport. Local resident Teo Jänkälä noticed a French Air Force aircraft flying towards Rovaniemi and travelled to the airport by motorcycle.

“This is a rare opportunity. The aircraft are beautiful too, but we must also remember what they were made for,” he said.

It is not known whether the French aircraft is connected to the F-35s. The Air Force has previously said that the aircraft will be flown to Finland by American pilots.

Defence news outlet Lentoposti reported on Wednesday that three new fighter jets had left for Finland on Tuesday. The aircraft flew from Fort Worth, Texas, to the Azores with support from aerial refuelling tankers. Three Belgian F-35s were also part of the flight.

The Finnish Air Force will officially present the new F-35s in Rovaniemi on October 1.