Finland is accelerating the construction of infrastructure for its new F-35 fighter aircraft as the Nordic country strengthens its defence posture amid continuing security concerns in Europe.
The move follows Finland’s decision to acquire 64 F-35A aircraft from the United States to replace its ageing F/A-18 Hornet fleet. The first two Finnish F-35s arrived at Rovaniemi in Lapland on September 18, marking the beginning of the aircraft’s introduction into Finnish service.
The infrastructure programme covers three Finnish Air Force bases — Rovaniemi, Siilinjärvi and Tikkakoski — where facilities are being upgraded to accommodate the new aircraft and their specialised operational requirements.
Defence Properties Finland, the state body overseeing the construction, said the F-35 infrastructure programme was progressing according to schedule and within its established cost framework. The organisation said construction had already reached an advanced stage at the three bases.
The wider investment comes as Finland adjusts its defence planning following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its subsequent entry into NATO. Finland shares a roughly 1,340-kilometre land border with Russia, making developments in its northern and eastern security environment particularly significant.
NATO is also expected to contribute to the infrastructure programme through its Security Investment Programme, under which alliance funding can support facilities that provide capabilities benefiting NATO as a whole. Reports have put the potential NATO contribution at more than €100 million.
The nationwide F-35 infrastructure programme has been estimated at about €500 million. The construction includes aircraft shelters, maintenance facilities and other specialised infrastructure required to support the new fleet.
According to Defence Properties Finland, the organisation has focused heavily on controlling costs while meeting demanding technical requirements. Its chief executive, Matias Warsta, said international partners had given positive feedback on Finland’s ability to deliver complex defence infrastructure on schedule and within budget.
Finland’s wider defence-property investment is also rising sharply. Defence Properties Finland said annual investment was expected to approach €500 million in 2026 and remain at an exceptionally high level into the early years of the next decade.
The arrival of the first F-35s does not mean the infrastructure programme is complete. Finnish officials have indicated that construction at the bases will continue for years as the country gradually transitions from the Hornet fleet to the new aircraft.
The F-35s are intended to become the backbone of Finland’s air-defence capability for decades. The aircraft are equipped with advanced sensors and stealth features, while Finland says their ability to combine information from multiple sources will provide a more comprehensive picture of the surrounding airspace.
The first aircraft will be introduced through the Lapland Air Wing at Rovaniemi, while Finland’s other air bases will progressively receive the new aircraft. The Hornet fleet is expected to be phased out as the F-35 programme expands.
Finland’s accelerated investment also has an economic dimension, with large construction and infrastructure contracts being carried out by private companies under the management of Defence Properties Finland.
The development reflects how dramatically Finland’s security calculations have changed in recent years. A country that maintained military non-alignment for decades is now integrating its defence infrastructure more closely with NATO planning and allied capabilities.
The broader implication is significant: Finland is not simply replacing an ageing aircraft fleet; it is reshaping its military infrastructure around a new security environment and deeper alliance integration.
However, Finland’s decision shows how security concerns can rapidly transform national spending priorities. Whether the buildup ultimately produces greater stability will depend not only on military preparedness, but also on how effectively NATO members balance deterrence with efforts to prevent further escalation in Europe.
