HX-FRP aiming at Lightning II
As reported before, the Finnish HX Fighter Replacement Programme (HX-FRP, stands for Hornet replacement with candidate X aircraft) is nearing the decision moment.
The programme that started in the Finnish government term 2015-2019 was reported to take 10-15 years to complete. Within this term, requests for information were sent out to Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Eurofighter, Lockheed-Martin and Saab.
A first call for tenders was sent to the respective manufacturers in April 2018 with a due date of February 2019. A more detailed call for tenders was sent to the manufacturers in the second half of 2019.
In January and February 2020, the programme entered the HX Challenge phase, where the respective manufacturers brought their test aircraft to the Finnish air base Tampere/Pirkkala. Each manufacturer got five days to perform all required test scenarios. The evaluation of the received quotations has been completed in autumn 2021.
This month, the Finnish government will decide on the procurement, on proposal by the Ministry of Defence.
Nearing the final decision, it is reported by local media that Finland opts for the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. The argument is that the Lightning IIs will be acquired due to their capability and expected long lifespan. Selection of the fighter would align the country with the US for the coming decades through industrial cooperation that accounts for almost a third of the order price. Although Finland is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), it trains with the alliance and uses NATO-compatible gear.
Photo by Harri Koskinen via FlyFinland.fi