F-35A stealth fighters reach Finland and deploy to New Zealand

The F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter is seeing increased operational deployment and integration across different regions. In Finland, the first two F-35A aircraft arrived at Rovaniemi on 18 September 2026. This arrival marks the beginning of a transition to replace the aging F/A-18 Hornet fleet with a total of 64 F-35As, intended to strengthen air defense and NATO interoperability along the northern and eastern flanks.

Simultaneously, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) conducted a milestone operation during Exercise Agile Tasman from 7–10 September 2026. For the first time, Australian F-35As operated from Ohakea Air Base in New Zealand. The exercise tested the ability to maintain advanced combat operations from foreign bases, specifically demonstrating Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) capabilities and logistical support provided by C-130J Hercules aircraft.