Finnish Air Force base seeks to buy more land for F-35 expansion and training

The Finnish Air Force’s Karelia Air Command is looking to purchase additional land near its Siilinjärvi base to accommodate new F-35 fighter jets and expanding operations, which are reducing available training areas for conscripts, reports Yle.

The base requires more infrastructure for the incoming F-35 fleet, including new buildings and an extended security perimeter. As construction spreads outward, existing training zones are being displaced, forcing conscripts to travel farther for exercises.

Commander Colonel Tomi Böhm told Yle that while the current situation is manageable, the Air Force aims to secure nearby land for future training needs. “We are interested in discussing potential purchases with local property owners if land becomes available,” Böhm said.

The base has already expanded its force structure, adding a second security company this year. January’s intake of 200 conscripts—several dozen more than previous groups—has increased demand for nearby training grounds. Böhm noted that daily hour-long commutes to distant sites are impractical.

Most of the base’s facilities date to the 1960s and require replacement. A new mess hall and medical center will break ground this summer. Meanwhile, the Air Force has ruled out calling up reservists for now, despite heightened surveillance demands from recent drone incursions. Böhm said current staffing suffices but left open the possibility of activating reservists later for guard duties or technical support.