The HX Fighter Program is a fighter jet procurement program of the Finnish Ministry of Defence, aiming to acquire multirole fighters for Finland to replace the current Hornet fighters. If completed, the acquisition will be the most expensive state purchase ever made by Finland. The project started in autumn 2015 and the Government decided to procure 64 Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft in December 2021. According to the project schedule, the new aircraft would arrive in Finland around 2025–2030.
Hornet in Finnish Air Force livery
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather supersonic, twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole combat aircraft, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft. Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations, and formerly by the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
YF-16 and YF-17 prototypes being tested by the U.S. Air Force
The Northrop YF-17 Cobra was developed into the carrier-capable F/A-18.
First preproduction F-18A in October 1978