Finland building military base for F-35 fighter jets

Finland has begun building a military base in Rovaniemi for F-35 fighter jets ordered from the USA.

The preparatory work was launched in June, while construction itself started in September. The base is expected to be fully prepared by 2027, TASS reports, citing the Yle TV and radio company.

The base will include facilities for the maintenance and storage of fighter jets, training of Finnish Air Force pilots, as well as airfield infrastructure. Besides construction, existing buildings are expected to be repaired. The repair is estimated at approximately 150 million euros ($160 million).

The first F-35 fighter jets will be used in Rovaniemi in 2026. The Finnish Air Force plans to use this model until the 2060s.