The first Finnish F-35A multirole fighter, designated JF-501, was presented to the public at a rollout ceremony at Lockheed Martins production facility in Fort Worth, Texas in United States on Tuesday, said Finnish Defence Forces in a press release. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force, Major General Timo Herranen and Colonel (ret.) Henrik Elo, Director of the F-35 Programme were present on the occasion. About 200 guests from the Finnish and US defence administrations and industries and media representatives from these countries participated in the ceremony organized by Lockheed Martin. “We have worked long and hard to get to this moment and we look forward to starting F-35 operations next year,” said Herranen after the ceremony. Building the JF-501 started in 2023. In September 2025, the JF-501 was installed with a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, in October, it completed final assembly, and in November, it received its final finishes including paint and stealth coating. The JF-501 conducted its maiden flight on 8th December as part of factory test flights. After the factorys ground and flight tests, the US Defense Contract Management Agency, DCMA will conduct test flights of its own. Having passed these tests, the aircraft will be transferred to Finnish ownership. In early 2026, the JF-501 will be ferried to Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas where the first F-35A fighters will be introduced into Finnish Air Force service as part of the practical part of the F-35 initial training. When the initial training of the Air Force personnel conducted in detachments comes to an end in the United States, the JF-501 and other aircraft used in the training will be flown to Finland. The F-35 Programme is critical for Finlands defence capability and the Air Forces combat capability into the 2060s. Since April 2023, the Air Force has been operating as a full member of NATO also in tasks of the Alliance. “This is not just about the new aircraft. It is a step to a stronger, more modern and more agile defence. The F-35 has state-of-the art capabilities to enhance our national and collective deterrence and defence,” Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Janne Jaakkola said. The multirole fighter fleet is one of the cornerstones of Finlands defence. In peace time, the main task of the fighter fleet is to safeguard the territorial integrity of the Finnish State by participating in the policing of territorial integrity conducted by the Air Force 24/7. “The F-35 and its capabilities are a clear and very important force multiplier from the perspective of Army operations. We are well on our way to get everything set up when the first flight of F-35 lands at Rovaniemi airbase; well have JAGIC and defensive counterair to do the integration,” said Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki. “Im convinced that the F-35 fleet will provide, as they say, a giant leap in our maritime situational awareness and our air–sea battle concept. Im eager to have the remarkable F-35 capabilities support our national and allied naval operations in the Baltic Sea, the Commander of the Finnish Navy,” said Rear Admiral Tuomas Tiilikainen. The twenty member states of the F-35 Programme cover a geographically significant area. Of the thirteen European F-35 operators, twelve are also NATO member countries, which deepens their military compatibility and interoperability even more. “Finland is a NATO member and committed to act as a dependable defence provider in the northern flank. Finland is investing heavily in national industrial capabilities through industrial participation, we believe that our investment and highly capable defence industry can benefit the F-35 program not just locally but also at a more global level,” Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen said.