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NATO Jets Train Over Finland
๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Finland /Conflict & Security

NATO Jets Train Over Finland

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • NATO's Ramstein Flag 26 exercise is underway in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
  • Over 200 aircraft from 18 NATO countries are participating in the northern portion of the exercise.
  • Various aircraft, including the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master and F-16 Fighting Falcon, are present, with some making their Finnish debut.

Finland is currently hosting the northern segment of NATO's Ramstein Flag 26 air operations exercise. The exercise, which began on Monday, June 8, will continue until Midsummer's Eve. It involves more than 200 aircraft from 18 NATO member states across Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

This is a new generation jet trainer. There are no round gauges, only a large display screen.

โ€” Jyrki LaukkanenCommenting on the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master.

In Finland, air forces are hosting visiting aircraft in Rovaniemi, Jyvรคskylรค, and Pirkkala. The Tervo auxiliary landing site is also designated for the exercise. The article highlights specific aircraft expected to participate, with commentary from former Air Force test pilot Jyrki Laukkanen.

These are still being produced. They have all the equipment and a modern cockpit.

โ€” Jyrki LaukkanenDiscussing the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which was a candidate for Finland's fighter jets in the 1990s.

Among the notable aircraft are Poland's Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, described as a new-generation jet trainer with a large display screen instead of traditional gauges. Spain's McDonnell Douglas EF-18 Hornet is also present, a model that Laukkanen suggests might soon be retired. The United States is contributing Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawks, large unmanned surveillance aircraft operated by the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force. These drones fly at high altitudes, making them difficult to spot.

This model will probably be retired soon due to age.

โ€” Jyrki LaukkanenReferring to the McDonnell Douglas EF-18 Hornet.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.