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 unveiled its inaugural F-35 fighter jets on Thursday at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi. This marks the nation's priciest acquisition to date, costing roughly 10 billion euros. President Alexander Stubb christened the first aircraft with the distinctive Finnish name, "Sisu," a term with no direct English translation but generally signifying remarkable perseverance in the face of severe adversity.
At the ceremony, Stubb shared a conversation he had with US President Donald Trump regarding the F-35s' capabilities. "They are great! You just press the button and they fly by themselves," Trump reportedly said, describing the high-tech American fighters' nearly autonomous flight capabilities. These jets can identify threats, communicate with other fighters, and evade radar detection.
They are particularly adept at spotting small, low-flying drones, a pressing necessity following months of Air Force drone surveillance over the Gulf of Finland.
Following some poor weather conditions that initially delayed proceedings, the ceremony showcased a Hornet jet's aerial display and a glimpse of the F-35s' initial maneuvers in Finnish skies. So far, two F-35s have arrived, with Lapland Air Command anticipating the arrival of more jets next year as they retire their aging Hornet fighters.
The first F-35s are projected to be ready for air combat duties within a year. The total cost of the F-35s encompasses the aircraft, weapons, and airfield construction, with expenses projected to escalate as systems are upgraded throughout the aircraft's lifespan.
Written by urgent.news from Yle News Finland's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
