Finnish Air Force

The Finnish Air Force, established in 1918, is the aviation branch of the Finnish Defense Forces. Initially relying on donated and captured aircraft, it became an independent air force in 1928. During World War II, it defended Finland against Soviet Union air attacks, operating in challenging conditions with limited resources. Today, the Finnish Air Force operates as a modern, technologically advanced and capable force. Its fleet consists of various fighter aircraft, including the versatile F/A-18 Hornet, which has been the backbone of its combat capabilities since the 1990s. In recent years, the Air Force has also acquired the new-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to further enhance its operational capabilities. Aside from combat aircraft, the Finnish Air Force operates an array of support and utility aircraft for reconnaissance, transport, and training purposes. It works closely with other branches of the Finnish Defense Forces and participates in international exercises and joint operations. Maintaining a strong focus on national defense, the Finnish Air Force plays a crucial role in safeguarding the sovereignty and airspace integrity of Finland.

Key facts

Official Name	Finnish Air Force
Local Name	Ilmavoimat
Country	🇫🇮 Finland
World rank	#54
Active aircrafts	166 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	64
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Training	79
Combat aircrafts	55
Helicopters	20
Transport	11
Special missions	1

Aircrafts most used by Finnish air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
F/A-18 Hornet	62	American multirole fighter, prominent during the Gulf War, extensively deployed for ground-attack, fleet defense, and close air support missions.
Hawk	37	British trainer jet, distinguished in Red Arrows aerobatic team, extensively operational since the 1970s worldwide.
G-115	28	German training aircraft, extensively utilized for United Kingdom's Royal Air Force Cadets and military aviation worldwide since the 1980s.
NH90	20	European multinational medium-sized military helicopter, known for deployment in various peace-keeping and combat missions since the 1990s.
MD-500	7	American light helicopter, renowned during the Cold War era, predominantly deployed for law enforcement and utility applications.
PC-12 Eagle	6	Swiss turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft, distinguished by worldwide operational history, notably in charter, regional, and utility roles.
C-295 Persuader	3	Spanish tactical military transport aircraft, utilized globally in maritime patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian relief missions since the late 20th century.
Learjet 35	3	Canadian light-jet, distinguished by its service history in the United States Air Force as a utility aircraft since the 1970s.
F-35 Lightning II	0	American multirole stealth fighter, developed in the early 21st century, extensively deployed in global military operations.

Full inventory in 2024