Finland launches HX fighter procurement programme

[Zarvan]

Finland is looking to replace its current fleet of F/A-18 Hornet aircraft with a new multirole fighter aircraft under the HX programme. Source: IHS/Patrick Allen
Key Points

• The Finnish defence forces have been given a mandate from the country's government to begin procurement of a new fighter under the HX programme
• The country is expected to look at the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and the Saab JAS-39 Gripen as options

Finland's defence forces received authorisation from the country's defence minister, Jussi Niinistö, to launch a procurement programme to replace the country's Boeing F/A-18C Hornet fleet on 20 October.

The programme - known as HX - comes after the delivery of a report by a working group in June on possible options for the country's fighter fleet.

The report recommended that the country required a multirole fighter to replace the F/A-18 Hornet fleet, with the country's air defence to also be augmented by ground-based air defence systems.

According to the Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD), the current Hornet fleet is expected to reach the end of its service life by the end of the 2020s due to overall structural fatigue, the weakening of relative capabilities, and the availability of the aircraft's systems, spare parts, and software. It is expected that the current Hornet fleet will be phased out from 2025 onwards.

According to the working group's report, requests for information are currently being drafted for delivery in February 2016. Requests for quotes are to be issued in 2018, before a tender is issued in February 2019. Contracts are planned to be signed in 2021, with an initial operating capability being reached in early 2025. Full operational capability is to be reached around 2030.

Viable candidates identified by the working group included the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and the Saab JAS-39 Gripen. The recommendation was based upon current production rates and planned upgrade packages in the future.

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Finland launches HX fighter procurement programme - IHS Jane's 360

 

[Blue Marlin]

either the girpen or the f35, most likely the f35.

 

[nana41]

Finland is looking to replace its current fleet of F/A-18 Hornet aircraft with a new multirole fighter aircraft under the HX programme. Source: IHS/Patrick Allen
Key Points

• The Finnish defence forces have been given a mandate from the country's government to begin procurement of a new fighter under the HX programme
• The country is expected to look at the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and the Saab JAS-39 Gripen as options

Finland's defence forces received authorisation from the country's defence minister, Jussi Niinistö, to launch a procurement programme to replace the country's Boeing F/A-18C Hornet fleet on 20 October.

The programme - known as HX - comes after the delivery of a report by a working group in June on possible options for the country's fighter fleet.

The report recommended that the country required a multirole fighter to replace the F/A-18 Hornet fleet, with the country's air defence to also be augmented by ground-based air defence systems.

According to the Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD), the current Hornet fleet is expected to reach the end of its service life by the end of the 2020s due to overall structural fatigue, the weakening of relative capabilities, and the availability of the aircraft's systems, spare parts, and software. It is expected that the current Hornet fleet will be phased out from 2025 onwards.

According to the working group's report, requests for information are currently being drafted for delivery in February 2016. Requests for quotes are to be issued in 2018, before a tender is issued in February 2019. Contracts are planned to be signed in 2021, with an initial operating capability being reached in early 2025. Full operational capability is to be reached around 2030.

Viable candidates identified by the working group included the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and the Saab JAS-39 Gripen. The recommendation was based upon current production rates and planned upgrade packages in the future.

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact




To read the full article, Client Login
(337 of 646 words)

Finland launches HX fighter procurement programme - IHS Jane's 360

Could you please explain how the Finland"s Air force requirements are in any way related to PDF?.

 

[Zarvan]

Could you please explain how the Finland"s Air force requirements are in any way related to PDF?.

PDF not only discuss Pakistan's Defence matters and developments but also of all other countries.
@Horus @Jango @Oscar @Jungibaaz @Irfan Baloch

 

[nana41]

PDF not only discuss Pakistan's Defence matters and developments but also of all other countries.
@Horus @Jango @Oscar @Jungibaaz @Irfan Baloch

Only if Finland was interested in buying JF-17,and not when they want to replace the old with up graded version of the same plane,in my opinion.

 

[Godman]

Only if Finland was interested in buying JF-17,and not when they want to replace the old with up graded version of the same plane,in my opinion.

PDF is based on Pakistan but topics include things that are totally unrelated to Pakistan

 

[knight11]

PDF is based on Pakistan but topics include things that are totally unrelated to Pakistan

Janaab if that some Country makes some sub system and JF-17 could increase its capability and its very cheap wrt to other souce, than it becomes important to keep on watch all defense development around the world.

either the girpen or the f35, most likely the f35.

Finnish is defensive airforce, and have only one threat Russian invasion from North.

I think it will be Grippen.

Reason
1 Cheaper to buy/fly
2. Swedish
3. short take off length
4. Small size.

 

[Blue Marlin]

Janaab if that some Country makes some sub system and JF-17 could increase its capability and its very cheap wrt to other souce, than it becomes important to keep on watch all defense development around the world.



Finnish is defensive airforce, and have only one threat Russian invasion from North.

I think it will be Grippen.

Reason
1 Cheaper to buy/fly
2. Swedish
3. short take off length
4. Small size.

yeah those are some good points and it is a possibility.

 

[Broccoli]

One of the requirements is that fighter chosen stays in production 2025-2030 so I wouldn't put bets on any European fighters.

 

[Akasa]

F-35, J-31, potentially PAK-FA, or the LMFS.

 

[Penguin]

F-35, J-31, potentially PAK-FA, or the LMFS.

Viable candidates identified by the working group included the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and the Saab JAS-39 Gripen.

Source: https://defence.pk/threads/finland-launches-hx-fighter-procurement-programme.404461/#ixzz3pKJFtUon

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

Janaab if that some Country makes some sub system and JF-17 could increase its capability and its very cheap wrt to other souce, than it becomes important to keep on watch all defense development around the world.



Finnish is defensive airforce, and have only one threat Russian invasion from North.

I think it will be Grippen.

Reason
1 Cheaper to buy/fly
2. Swedish
3. short take off length
4. Small size.

When Finland choose the F/A-18, one of the key criteria was two engines.
That would rule out most things except Typhoon and Rafale.
Super Hornet is likely out of production.
Typhoon has issues with cold weather, making the Rafale a prime candidate.

Finland and Sweden are seeking cooperation on defense.
If one engine is OK this time, then that is an advantage for GRIPEN.
Finland is not a member of NATO, so the US will not have much leverage.

In Norway, they were more or less forced to select the F-35 or their chances
to sell the JSM (Joint Strike Missile) to the US would go down the drains.

 

[knight11]

When Finland choose the F/A-18, one of the key criteria was two engines.
That would rule out most things except Typhoon and Rafale.
Super Hornet is likely out of production.
Typhoon has issues with cold weather, making the Rafale a prime candidate.

Finland and Sweden are seeking cooperation on defense.
If one engine is OK this time, then that is an advantage for GRIPEN.
Finland is not a member of NATO, so the US will not have much leverage.

In Norway, they were more or less forced to select the F-35 or their chances
to sell the JSM (Joint Strike Missile) to the US would go down the drains.

Article suggests the country is expected to look at the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and the Saab JAS-39 Gripen as options.

However I feels Grippen is the best candidate. Keep Posting the updates.

 

[jupiter2007]

Tejas?

 

[Viper0011.]

either the girpen or the f35, most likely the f35.

Neither . More guesses?