The Finnish Defence Ministry will hold a press conference on March 25 to announce the winner of the HX Fighter Program contract. This long-awaited decision will generate national interest and international media coverage, as it involves replacing the country's aging F/A-18 Hornet fleet. The competition for the contract is between five major aircraft: the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Dassault Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Lockheed Martin F-35, and the Saab Gripen E. The contract is specifically for 64 new aircraft to replace the current fleet.
The decision is based on a comprehensive evaluation of several key factors, including military capability, security of supply, industrial cooperation, and overall cost. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen will make the official announcement at 10:00 Eastern European Time (EET).
This major procurement decision is closely watched by the Finnish tech and defense sectors. Companies like Nokia, with its telecommunications and cybersecurity expertise, and other Helsinki-area tech firms often engage in industrial cooperation linked to such national defense programs. The announcement's impact on local technology partnerships and supply chain security is a key point of focus for industry observers.