View source for Finnish Air Force

{{Short description|Branch of the Finnish Defence Forces}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Finnish Air Force
| native_name                   = {{ubl|{{nativename|fi|Ilmavoimat}}|{{nativename|sv|Flygvapnet}}}}
| image                         = Suomen Ilmavoimien tunnus.svg
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = Badge of the Finnish Air Force
| start_date                    = {{start date and age|1918|03|06|df=yes}}
| country                       = {{flag|Finland}}
| branch                        = [[Air force]]
| role                          = [[Aerial warfare]]
| size                          = {{ubl|3,100 active personnel|38,000 reserve personnel}}
| command_structure             = [[Finnish Defence Forces]]
| garrison                      = 
| garrison_label                = 
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = {{ubl|{{langx|la|Qualitas Potentia Nostra}}|{{small|(English: "Quality is our Strength")}}}}
| colours                       = 
| colours_label                 = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| anniversaries                 = 
| equipment                     = 159
| equipment_label               = Total aircraft
| battles                       = {{blist|[[Finnish Civil War]]|[[Winter War]]|[[Continuation War]]|[[Lapland War]]}}
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| battle_honours_label          = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = [https://ilmavoimat.fi/en/frontpage Finnish Air Force.fi]
<!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                    = [[Kenraalimajuri|Major-General]] Juha-Pekka Keränen
| commander1_label              = Commander
| notable_commanders            = {{ubl|[[Arne Somersalo]]|[[Jarl Lundqvist]]|[[Jarmo Lindberg]]}}
<!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Finnish_air_force_roundel.svg|80px]] [[File:Roundel of Finland (Low Visibility).svg|80px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[Military aircraft insignia|Roundel]] 
<!-- Aircraft -->
| identification_symbol_2       = 
| identification_symbol_3       = 
| identification_symbol_4       = 
| identification_symbol_2_label = 
| identification_symbol_3_label = 
| identification_symbol_4_label = 
| aircraft_electronic           = [[CASA C-295|Airbus C295M]]
| aircraft_trainer              = {{ubl|[[BAE Hawk|BAE ''Hawk'' 50/51/60]]|[[Grob G 115|Grob G 115E]]|[[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet#C/D|Boeing F/A-18D ''Hornet'']]}}
| aircraft_transport            = {{ubl|[[Learjet 35|Learjet 35-A/S]]|[[CASA C-295|Airbus C295M]]}}
| aircraft_fighter              = [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet#C/D|Boeing F/A-18C ''Hornet'']]
}}

The '''Finnish Air Force''' ('''FAF''' or '''FiAF'''; {{langx|fi|Ilmavoimat||Air forces}} {{IPA|fi|ˈilmɑˌʋoi̯mɑt|}}; {{langx|sv|Flygvapnet||Air arm}}) is one of the branches of the [[Finnish Defence Forces]]. Its peacetime tasks are airspace surveillance, identification flights, and production of [[Finnish Rapid Deployment Force|readiness formations]] for wartime conditions.<ref>{{cite web | title =Finnish Air Force today | publisher =Finnish Air Force | url =http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index_en.php?id=387 | format =Web article | access-date =2008-02-23 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080212062235/http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index_en.php?id=387 | archive-date =2008-02-12 }}</ref> The Finnish Air Force was founded on 6 March 1918.

==History==
The Finnish Air Force, the oldest air force in the world, pre-dates the British [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] (founded as an independent entity on 1 April 1918) and the Swedish {{lang|sv|[[Swedish Air Force|Flygvapnet]]}} (founded on 1 July 1926). The first steps in the history of Finnish aviation involved [[Russian Empire|Russian]] aircraft. The Russian military had a number of early designs stationed in the [[Grand Duchy of Finland]], which until the [[Russian Revolution]] of 1917 formed an autonomous grand duchy under the Russian Empire. Soon after the [[Finnish Declaration of Independence|Finnish declaration of independence]] of 6 December 1917, the [[Finnish Civil War]] of January to May 1918 broke out, in which the Soviets sided with the ''Reds'' – the socialist rebels with ties to [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]]'s [[Bolshevik Party]]. Finland's [[White Guard (Finland)|White Guard]], the ''Whites'', managed to seize a few aircraft from the Soviets, but were forced to rely on foreign pilots and aircraft. Sweden refused to send men and [[materiel]], but individual Swedish citizens came to the aid of the ''Whites''. The editor of the Swedish newspaper {{lang|sv|[[Aftonbladet]]}}, [[Valdemar Langlet]], bought a [[N.A.B. Albatros]] aircraft from the [[Nordiska Aviatik A.B.]] factory with funds gathered by the {{langnf|sv|Finlands vänner|Friends of Finland}} organization. This aircraft, the first to arrive from Sweden, was flown via [[Haparanda]] on 25 February 1918 by Swedish pilot [[John-Allan Hygerth]] (who on 10 March became the first commander of the Finnish Air Force) and Per Svanbäck. The aircraft made a stop at [[Kokkola]] and had to make a forced landing in [[Jakobstad]] when its engine broke down. It was later given the Finnish Air Force designation F.2 ("F" coming from the Swedish word "{{lang|sv|Flygmaskin}}", meaning "aircraft").<ref name="keskinen">Keskinen, Partonen, Stenman 2005.</ref>

===Insignia of the Finnish Air Force (1918–1945)===
{{anchor|SwastikaAnchor}}
{{See also|Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century#Finland}}
[[File:Close-up_of_swastika_on_VL_Viima.jpg|thumb|left|The original insignia of the Finnish Air Force (in use from 1918 to 1945) on a [[VL Viima]]]]

Swedish count [[Eric von Rosen]] gave the Finnish White government its second aircraft, a [[AB Thulinverken|Thulin]] [[Morane-Saulnier Type L|Typ D]].<ref>A photograph of this plane appears in the book by Shores 1969, p. 4.</ref> Von Rosen, later one of the founding members of the ''Nationalsocialistiska Blocket'' ("[[National Socialist Bloc]]"), a Swedish National Socialist political party, and brother-in-law to [[Hermann Göring|Hermann Goering]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riccini |first=Elisabeth Braw |date=2002-02-14 |title=Carin Göring – Nazitysklands svenska ikon |url=https://popularhistoria.se/krig/andra-varldskriget/tredje-riket/carin-goring-nazitysklands-svenska-ikon |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Popularhistoria.se |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Carin Göring – Tredje rikets svenska ikon |url=https://nordfront.se/carin-goring-tredje-rikets-svenska-ikon.smr |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=nordfront.se}}</ref> had painted his personal good-luck charm on the Thulin Type&nbsp;D aircraft. This logo—a blue [[swastika]], the ancient symbol of the sun and of good luck, which was back then still used with non-political connotations—gave rise to the insignia of the Finnish Air Force. The white circular background originated when the Finns painted over the advertisement from the Thulin air academy.<ref>Heinonen 1992.</ref> The swastika was officially taken into use after an order by [[Commander-in-Chief]] [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim|C. G. E. Mannerheim]] on 18 March 1918. The FAF changed its aircraft insignia, which resembled the swastika of the [[Third Reich]], after 1944 due to an [[Allied Commission|Allied Control Commission]] decree,<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url= http://heninen.net/sopimus/1944_e.htm |title= Armistice Agreement |publisher= Heninen.net |access-date= 2014-02-20 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140128193958/http://heninen.net/sopimus/1944_e.htm |archive-date= 2014-01-28 |url-status=live }}</ref> which prohibited [[fascist]] organizations.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> It nevertheless continues to feature in some unit emblems, unit flags and decorations, including on uniforms. In 2020, the BBC reported that the FAF had "quietly stopped" using the symbol in the emblem of the Air Force Command.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53249645 |title= Finland's air force quietly drops swastika symbol |first=Claudia |last=Allen |date= 1 July 2020|work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=1 July 2020}}</ref>

===First aircraft===
The von Rosen aircraft received the designation F.1.<ref name="keskinen"/> Its pilot, Lieutenant Nils Kindberg, flew the aircraft to [[Vaasa]] on 6 March 1918, carrying von Rosen as a passenger. As this gift ran counter to the policy of the Swedish government, and no flight permit had been granted, Sweden fined Kindberg 100 [[Swedish Krona|Swedish crowns]] for leaving the country without permission. The F.1 aircraft is considered by some{{who|date=September 2021}} to be the first aircraft of the Finnish Air Force, which did not exist during the Civil War, while the ''Red'' side flew a few aircraft with the help of some Russian pilots. The F.1 aircraft was destroyed in an accident which killed its crew, not long after it had been handed over to the Finns. On 7 September 1920, two newly purchased Savoia flying boats crashed in the [[Swiss Alps]] ''en route'' to Finland, killing all on-board (three Finns and one Italian). This day has since become the memorial day for fallen pilots.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

The Finnish Air Force assigns the [[Aircraft registration|matriculation numbers]] to its aircraft by assigning each type a two-letter code following by dash and an individual aircraft number. The two-letter code usually refers to the aircraft manufacturer or model, such as '''HN''' for F/A-18 '''H'''or'''n'''et, '''DK''' for Saab 35 '''D'''ra'''k'''en, '''VN''' for Valmet '''V'''i'''n'''ka etc.

===Finnish Civil War, January to May 1918===
[[File:Gallen-Kallela sotalentajien merkki.jpg|thumb|Plan for Finland as a flight symbol, starting with military pilots, in use 1918–1945 ([[Akseli Gallen-Kallela]])]]

====Air activity of the Reds====
The Whites occupied most of the airbases that the Russians left in Finland after the Russian pilots had returned to Russia.

The Reds possessed a few airbases and a few Russian aircraft, mainly amphibious aircraft – they had 12 aircraft in all. The Reds did not have any pilots themselves, so they hired some of the Russian pilots who had stayed behind. On 24 February 1918 five aircraft arrived at Viipuri, and were quickly transferred to Riihimäki.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

The Reds established air units in Helsinki, Tampere, Kouvola, and Viipuri. There were no overall headquarters, but the individual units served under the commanders of the individual front lines.  A flight school was set up in Helsinki, but no students were trained there before the fall of Helsinki.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Two of the aircraft, one reconnaissance aircraft ([[Nieuport 10]]) and one fighter aircraft ([[Nieuport 17]]) that had arrived at Riihimäki were sent to Tampere, and three to Kouvola.  Four Russian pilots and six mechanics also arrived at Tampere.  The first war sortie was flown on 1 March 1918 over Naistenlahti.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

It seems likely that the Reds also operated two aircraft over the Eastern front. The Reds mainly performed reconnaissance, bombing sorties, spreading of propaganda leaflets, and artillery spotting. The Reds' air activity was not particularly successful. Their air operations suffered from bad [[leadership]], worn-out aircraft, and un-motivated Russian pilots. Some of the aircraft were captured by the Whites, while the rest were destroyed.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

====Air activity of the Whites====
In January 1918, the [[White Guard (Finland)|Whites]] did not have a single aircraft, let alone pilots, so they asked the Swedes for help. Sweden, a neutral country, could not send any official help. Sweden also forbade its pilots to aid Finland.

Despite this official stance, however, one [[Morane-Saulnier Parasol]], and three N.A.B. Albatros arrived from Sweden by the end of February 1918. Two of the Albatross aircraft were gifts from private citizens supporting the White Finnish cause, while the third was purchased. It was initially intended that the aircraft would support the air operations of the Whites, but the aircraft ultimately proved unsuitable.

Along with aircraft shortages, the Whites also did not have any personnel, so all the pilots and mechanics also came from Sweden. One of the [[Jäger Movement|Finnish Jägers]], Lieutenant Bertil Månsson, had received pilot training in [[German Empire|Imperial Germany]], but he stayed behind in Germany, trying to secure further aircraft deals for Finland.

During the Civil War the White Finnish Air Force consisted of:

* 29 Swedes (16 pilots, two observers and 11 mechanics). Of the pilots, only 4 had received military training, and one of them operated as an observer.
* 2 Danes (one pilot, one observer)
* 7 Russians (six pilots, one observer)
* 28 Finns (four pilots – of whom two had military training, six observers, two engineers and 16 mechanics).

The air activity consisted mainly of reconnaissance sorties. The Germans brought several of their own aircraft, but they did not contribute much to the overall outcome of the war.

The first [[air base|air-force base]] of independent Finland was founded on a lake shore near [[Kolho]]. The base could operate three aircraft.  The first aircraft arrived by rail on 7 March 1918, and on 17 March 1918 took off from the base for the first time.  In 1918 the Finns took over nine Russian [[Stetinin M-9]] aircraft that had been left behind.

The first air operation of the Whites during the war was flown over [[Lyly, Juupajoki|Lyly]]. It was a reconnaissance-gathering mission as the front-line moved south. As the line neared [[Tampere]], the base moved first to Orivesi and then to Kaukajärvi near Tampere. The contribution of the White air force during the war was almost insignificant.

From 10 March 1918, the Swedish Lt. John-Allan Hygerth led the Finnish Air Force. He was however replaced on 18 April 1918, due to his unsuitability for the position and numerous accidents. The German Captain Carl Seber took over the role and commanded the air force from 28 April 1918 until 13 December 1918.

By the end of the Civil War, the Finnish Air Force had 40 aircraft, of which 20 had been captured from the Reds (the Reds did not operate this many aircraft, but some had been found abandoned on [[Åland]]). Five of the aircraft had been flown by the [[Allies of World War I|Allies]] from Russia, four had been gifts from Sweden and eight had been bought from Germany.

===Winter War (1939–1940)===
{{See also|Aerial warfare in the Winter War|List of units of the Finnish Air Force during the Winter War}}
[[File:Fokker D.XXI.jpg|thumb|[[Fokker D.XXI]] aircraft in the Finnish air force during World War II]] 
The [[Winter War]] began on 30 November 1939, when the [[Soviet Air Force]] bombed 21 Finnish cities and municipalities. The [[Soviet Union]] had an estimated {{circa}} 5,000 aircraft in 1939, and of these, some 700 fighters and 800 medium bombers came to the Finnish front to support the [[Red Army]]'s operations. As with most aerial bombardments in the early stages of [[World War II]], the damage to Finnish industry and railways was quite limited.

At the beginning of the Winter War, the Finnish Air Force was equipped with only 18 [[Bristol Blenheim]] bombers and 46 fighters (32 modern [[Fokker D.XXI]]s and 14 obsolete [[Bristol Bulldog]]s). There were also 58 liaison aircraft, but 20 of these were only used for messengers. The most modern aircraft in the Finnish arsenal were British-designed and -built Bristol Blenheim bombers. The primary fighter aircraft, the Fokker D.XXI, featured a cheap but maneuverable design with fabric-covered fuselage and fixed landing-gear. On paper, the Finnish air assets should have been no match for the attacking Soviet [[Red Air Force]]. However, the Finnish Air Force had already adopted the [[finger-four]] formation in the mid-1930s,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/WW2/fin_force.htm|title=Finnish Air Force|access-date=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807064547/http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/WW2/fin_force.htm|archive-date= 7 August 2016|url-status=live|df= dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sci.fi/~fta/FAFhist.htm|title=Finnish Air Force History |access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120301145729/http://www.sci.fi/~fta/FAFhist.htm|archive-date=1 March 2012}}</ref> which proved a much more effective formation than the [[Vic formation]] that many other militaries continued to use in 1939.

To prevent their aircraft from being destroyed on the ground, the Finns distributed their aircraft to many different airfields and hid them in the nearby forests. The Finns constructed many decoys and built shrapnel-protection walls for the aircraft. Soviet air-raids on Finnish airfields usually caused little or no damage as a result, and often resulted in interception of the attackers by the Finns as the Soviet bombers flew homeward.

As the war progressed, the Finns tried desperately to purchase aircraft wherever they could. This policy resulted in a very diverse aircraft inventory, which caused some major logistical problems until the inventory became more standardized. The Finnish Air Force included numerous American, British, Czechoslovak, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Soviet, and Swedish designs. Other countries, like South Africa and Denmark, [[Foreign support in the Winter War|sent aircraft to assist in the Finnish war effort]]. Many of these purchases and gifts did not arrive until the end of the hostilities, but would see action later during the [[Continuation War|Continuation]] and [[Lapland War|Lapland war]]s.
[[File:Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV of the Finnish Air Force.jpg|thumb|left| Bristol Blenheim BL-129 of Finnish Air Force [[No. 44 Squadron, Finnish Air Force|LeLv 44]]]]
To make up for its weaknesses (few and obsolete fighters) the FAF mainly focused on attacking enemy bombers from directions that were disadvantageous to the enemy. Soviet fighters were usually superior in firepower, speed and agility, and Finnish pilots avoided them unless the enemy was in a disadvantageous position.

As a result of these tactics, the Finnish Air Force managed to shoot down 218 Soviet aircraft during the Winter War while losing only 47 to enemy fire. Finnish anti-aircraft guns also had 314 confirmed downed enemy planes. 30 Soviet planes were captured – these were "kills" that landed more or less intact within Finland and were quickly repaired.

===Continuation War (1941–1944)===
{{For|a complete list of Finnish units during 1941–44|List of units of the Finnish Air Force during the Continuation War}}
[[File:Brewster 239 formation.png|thumb|right|Finnish Brewster Buffaloes formation during the [[Continuation War]]]] 
The Finnish Air Force found itself better prepared when the Continuation War against the Soviet Union started in 1941. It had been considerably strengthened and consisted of some 550 aircraft, though many were considered second-rate and thus "exportable" by their countries of origin. Finland purchased a large number of aircraft during the Winter War, but few of those had reached service during the short conflict. Politics had also played a role, since [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]] did not wish to antagonize the Soviet Union by allowing aircraft exports through German-controlled territory during the Winter War. In addition to Fokker fighters and Bristol Blenheim bombers built under license, new aircraft types were in place by the time hostilities with Soviet Union resumed in 1941. Small numbers of [[Hawker Hurricane]]s arrived from the United Kingdom, [[Morane-Saulnier M.S.406]]s from France, [[Fiat G.50]]s from Italy, and one [[liaison aircraft]]. Numerous [[Brewster F2A Buffalo]]es from the neutral USA strengthened the FAF. A few dozen [[P-36 Hawk|Curtiss Hawk 75s]] captured by the Germans in France and Norway were sold to Finland when Germany began warming up its ties with Finland. Finns reconditioned captured [[Tupolev SB]]s, [[Ilyushin DB-3]]s, and [[Polikarpov I-153]]s for service.

The FAF proved capable of holding its own in the upcoming battles with the Red Air Force. Older models, such as the Fokker D.XXI and [[Gloster Gladiator]], had been replaced with new aircraft in front-line combat units.

The FAF's main mission was to achieve air superiority over Finnish-held territory and to prevent Soviet air power from reinforcing the Red Army's front lines. The fighter squadrons proved very successful in the Finnish offensive of 1941. A stripped-down, more manoeuvrable, and significantly lightened version of the American Brewster Buffalo was the FAF's main fighter until 1943. Results with this fighter were very good, even though the type was considered to be a failure in the US Navy and with British and Dutch Far East forces. In Finnish use, the Brewster had a victory rate of 32:1 – 459 kills to 15 losses. German [[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Bf 109]]s replaced the Brewster as the primary front-line fighter of the FAF in 1943, though the Buffalos continued in secondary roles until the end of the fighting.  Other types, including the Italian Fiat G.50 and Curtiss Hawk 75, also proved capable in the hands of well-trained Finnish pilots. The principle reconnaissance type was the German [[Arado Ar 196]], which had been purchased in 1943 and continued to serve throughout the war, though by mid-1944 the planes' pre-war roots were showing and were subsequently modified to a later A-5 model in an attempt to stave off obsolescence. Various Russian designs also saw action when lightly damaged "kills" were repaired and made airworthy.
[[File:Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2.jpg|thumb|left|Finnish [[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2]]s during the Continuation War]]
[[Dornier Do 17]]s (received as a gift from Hermann Göring in 1942) and [[Junkers Ju 88]]s improved the bombing capability of the Finnish Air Force. The bomber force was also strengthened with a number of captured Soviet bombers, which had been taken in large numbers by the [[Wehrmacht]] during [[Operation Barbarossa]]. The bomber units flew assorted missions with varying results, but a large part of their time was spent in training, waiting until the time came to use the aircraft. Thus the bomber squadrons of Flying Regiment 4 were ready for the summer battles of 1944, which included for example the [[Battle of Tali-Ihantala]] (June to July 1944).

While the FAF was successful in its mission, conditions were not easy. Spare parts for the FAF planes were scarce — parts from the US (Buffalo and Hawk), Britain (Hurricanes), and Italy (G.50) were unavailable for much of the war. Repairs took often a long time, and the State Aircraft Factory was burdened with restoration/repair of captured Soviet planes and of foreign aircraft with many hours of flight time, and with the development of indigenous Finnish fighter types. Also, one damaged bomber took up workshop space equalling three fighters.

Finland was required to expel or intern remaining German forces as part of its [[Moscow Armistice|peace agreement]] with the Soviets in September 1944. As a result, the Finns' fought their final air battles against retreating [[Luftwaffe]] units.

The Finnish Air Force did not bomb any civilian targets during either war.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.virtualpilots.fi/en/hist/WW2History-AirWarofContinuationWar.html |title=Continuation War Aviation in Review |publisher=virtualpilots.fi |date=2005-09-19 |access-date=2014-02-20 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140226095758/http://www.virtualpilots.fi/en/hist/WW2History-AirWarofContinuationWar.html |archive-date=2014-02-26 |url-status=live }}</ref> Overflying Soviet towns and bases was also forbidden, as to avoid any unneeded provocations and to spare equipment.

The Finnish Air Force shot down 1,621 Soviet aircraft while losing 210 of its own aircraft during the Continuation War.<ref>Kalevi Keskinen, Kari Stenman. ''Aerial Victories 1'', ''Aerial Victories 2'' (2006)</ref>

===After World War II===
[[File:Fouga_CM-170_Magisters_at_Kauhava_Airport,_August_1986_(33302335623).jpg|thumb|right|Finnish [[Fouga CM.170 Magister|Fouga CM-170 Magisters]] in 1986]]
[[File:Saab_35CS_Draken_(33180232366).jpg|thumb|right|A Finnish [[Saab 35 Draken|Saab 35CS Draken]] in 1994.]]
The end of World War II in 1945 and the [[Paris Peace Treaties, 1947|Paris peace talks of 1947]] brought about some limitations imposed on the FAF. For example, the Finnish Air Force could have:

* no more than 60 combat aircraft
* no aircraft with internal bomb bays
* no guided missiles or atomic weapons
* no weaponry of German construction or using German parts
* a maximum strength of 3,000 persons
* no offensive weapons

These revisions followed Soviet demands closely. When Britain, fearing that the provisions only augmented Soviet air defences, tried to vary some of the conditions, the Soviets opposed such proposals. The revisions were again revised in 1963, and Finland was allowed to buy guided missiles and a few bombers that were used as target-tugs. The FAF also used a loop-hole to strengthen its capabilities by purchasing large numbers of two-seater aircraft, which counted as trainer aircraft and were not included in the revisions. These aircraft could have secondary roles.<ref>Arter, David: ''Scandinavian politics today'', Manchester University Press (1999), {{ISBN|0-7190-5133-9}}, p.254</ref>

During the [[Cold War]] years ({{circa | 1947}} to {{circa | 1991}}), Finland tried to balance its purchases between east, west and domestic producers. This led to a diverse inventory of Soviet, British, Swedish, French and Finnish aircraft. After leading Finnish politicians held unofficial talks with their Swedish counterparts, Sweden began storing surplus [[Saab 35 Draken]]s, intended for transfer to Finland in the event of a war against the Soviet Union. This practice continued until the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://hbl.fi/nyheter/2011-03-24/avslojande-sverige-lagrade-jaktplan-finska-piloter |title= Avslöjande: Sverige lagrade jaktplan för finska piloter |language= sv |publisher=Hbl.fi |access-date=2014-02-20 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140227100209/http://hbl.fi/nyheter/2011-03-24/avslojande-sverige-lagrade-jaktplan-finska-piloter |archive-date=2014-02-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 22 September 1990, a week before the unification of Germany, Finland declared that the limiting treaties were no longer active and that all the provisions of the Paris Peace Treaties were nullified.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.nato.int/docu/review/1993/9301-3.htm |title= NATO Review – No. 1 – Feb 1993 |access-date=2016-12-12 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160917035144/http://www.nato.int/docu/review/1993/9301-3.htm |archive-date=2016-09-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the 1990s, with the Cold War over, the Finnish Air Force ended its policy of purchasing Soviet/Russian aircraft and replaced the [[Saab Draken]] and [[MiG-21]]s in its fighter wing with US [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18C/D Hornets]].<ref>[http://www.aviatia.net/finland-mig-21/ Finland MiG-21] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170222201216/http://www.aviatia.net/finland-mig-21/ |date=2017-02-22 }} ''Aviata.net'' Retrieved 22 February 2017.</ref><ref>Jeziorski, Andrzej [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/f-18-costs-delay-finnish-support-requirements-23293/ F-18 costs delay Finnish support requirements 15 November 1995] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170222194104/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/f-18-costs-delay-finnish-support-requirements-23293/ |date= 22 February 2017 }} ''Flight Global''. Retrieved 22 February 2017</ref><ref>
[http://ilmavoimat.fi/documents/1951206/2016308/ENG_Konetyyppifactsheet+HN+(Joulu+-16).pdf/c1a3d32e-0a41-4f58-8fc4-2ca0de035385 The Finnish Air Force] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170222195349/http://ilmavoimat.fi/documents/1951206/2016308/ENG_Konetyyppifactsheet+HN+(Joulu+-16).pdf/c1a3d32e-0a41-4f58-8fc4-2ca0de035385 |date=2017-02-22 }}. Retrieved 22 February 2017.</ref>

{{As of | 2021}} the FAF is organized into three Air Commands, each assigned to one of Finland's three air-defence areas. The main Wing bases are at [[Rovaniemi]], Tampere and [[Kuopio-Rissala]], each with a front-line squadron. Pilot training takes place at the Air Force Academy in Tikkakoski, with advanced conversion performed at squadron level.

In 2023 the English name for the Air Commands was changed to Air Wing.

==HX Fighter Program==
{{main|HX Fighter Program}}
The current Hornet fleet is set to begin being phased out from 2025, and to be completely decommissioned by 2030. The Finnish MoD initiated its Hornet replacement programme in June 2015, and named it the "HX Fighter Program". A working group was created and it identified suitable aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= Def Min |place= [[Finland|FI]] |type= press release |url= http://www.defmin.fi/en/topical/press_releases/working_group_proposes_multi-role_fighters_to_replace_f_a-18_aircraft.6273.news |title= Working group proposes multi-role fighters to replace F/A-18 aircraft |date= 11 June 2015 |access-date= 14 June 2015 |archive-date= 18 June 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150618214823/http://www.defmin.fi/en/topical/press_releases/working_group_proposes_multi-role_fighters_to_replace_f_a-18_aircraft.6273.news |url-status= dead }}</ref>

The final decision for choosing the new Air Force jet is based on five key considerations, which are the multi-role fighter's military capability, security of supply, industrial cooperation solutions, procurement and life cycle costs, and security and defence policy implications. An extensive questionnaire had been sent out the producers asking what their products can offer Finland in form of capabilities, cost, security of supply and the domestic industry's role, as well as security and defence policy impacts.

The goal is to retain the numerical strength of the FAF fighter fleet, which means that the goal is to obtain some 64 aircraft. The MoD has estimated that the programme will cost somewhere between 7–10 billion Euros. In October 2019, the government of Finland stipulated a budget ceiling of {{currency|10 billion|EUR|passthrough=yes}} for the HX fighter programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/929a7466-c3dd-4447-8ab9-006a493a26b7|language=fi|title=Hävittäjähankinnassa yllätyskäänne: Suomi saattaa ostaa nykyistä enemmän taistelukoneita – hallitus asetti hintakatoksi 10 miljardia euroa|date=9 October 2017|access-date=9 March 2020|work=Iltalehti}}</ref>

In December 2015, the Finnish MoD sent a letter to Britain, France, Sweden and the US informing them that the fighter project had been launched in the Defence Forces. The request for information concerning the HX Fighter Program was sent in April 2016.<ref>{{cite web |work= The Finland times |url= https://www.finlandtimes.fi/national/2016/04/23/26577/Finland-sends-RFI-to-4-countries-for-Hornet-replacement |date= 23 April 2016 |title= Finland sends RFI to 4 countries for Hornet replacement}}</ref> Responses were received from all five participants in November 2016. The official Request for Quotation was sent in the spring of 2018. The goal is to start the fighter candidates’ environmental testing in Finland in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= Ministry of Defence |place= [[Finland|FI]] |type= press release |url= http://www.defmin.fi/en/topical/press_releases/requests_for_quotation_for_the_hx_programme_will_be_sent_to_all_candidates.8404.news |title= Requests for Quotation for the HX Programme will be sent to all candidates |date= 24 April 2017 |access-date= 13 May 2017 |archive-date= 20 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170720233259/http://www.defmin.fi/en/topical/press_releases/requests_for_quotation_for_the_hx_programme_will_be_sent_to_all_candidates.8404.news |url-status= dead }}</ref> The buying decision took place in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= Ministry of Defence |place= [[Finland|FI]] |type= press release |url= http://www.defmin.fi/en/topical/press_releases/2016/the_finnish_defence_forces_logistics_command_received_responses_concerning_the_replacement_of_the_hornet_aircraft.8083.news |title= The Finnish Defence Forces' Logistics Command received responses concerning the replacement of the Hornet aircraft |date= 22 November 2016 |access-date= 15 March 2017 |archive-date= 13 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170313220311/http://www.defmin.fi/en/topical/press_releases/2016/the_finnish_defence_forces_logistics_command_received_responses_concerning_the_replacement_of_the_hornet_aircraft.8083.news |url-status= dead }}</ref>

On 10 December 2021, it was announced that [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II]] was the winner of the HX program.<ref name="f35">{{Cite web|title=The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II is Finland's next multi-role fighter|url=https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/the-lockheed-martin-f-35a-lightning-ii-is-finland-s-next-multi-role-fighter|access-date=2021-12-10|author=[[Ministry of Defence (Finland)|Ministry of Defence]]}}</ref> It was also revealed that neither the [[Dassault Rafale]], [[Saab JAS 39 Gripen]] nor the [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] had gone through to the final round.

The cost for 64 aircraft was {{currency|4.703 billion|EUR|passthrough=yes}}, and the initial weapons package ({{currency|754.6 million|EUR|passthrough=yes}}) and other associated costs (service equipment, reserve and replacement parts, training equipment and other systems and services were {{currency|2.920 billion|EUR|passthrough=yes}}) bringing the package to {{currency|8.378 billion|EUR|passthrough=yes}}. Additionally {{currency|780 million|EUR|passthrough=yes}} are going to be used to upgrade facilities, and {{currency|840 million|EUR|passthrough=yes}} are saved for later expenses, such as air-to-ground weapons, resulting in total expenses of {{currency|9.998 billion|EUR|passthrough=yes}}, below the limit of {{currency|10 billion|EUR|passthrough=yes}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12225920|title=Analyysi: Suomi hankkii F-35-hävittäjät odotettua edullisemmin, mutta tämä ei ole erikoistarjous|language=fi|access-date=2022-02-12|date=2021-12-11|first=Maria|last=Stenroos|work=[[Yle Uutiset]]}}</ref> Costs per aircraft frame is {{currency|73.48 million|EUR|passthrough=yes}}.

The aircraft are planned to be delivered between 2026 and 2030, and is expected to replace the F/A-18s during the period 2028–2030. The F-35s are intended to be in service until the 2070s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://valtioneuvosto.fi/sv/-/lockheed-martin-f-35a-lightning-ii-ar-finlands-nasta-multirollflygplan|title=Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II är Finlands nästa multirollflygplan|language=sv|access-date=2022-02-12|date=2021-12-10|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Finland)|Ministry of Defence]]}}</ref> The FAF expects the annual operating costs not to exceed {{currency|254 million|EUR|passthrough=yes}}, which are the current operating costs for the F/A-18 fleet. The first weapons package will include [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder]] and [[AIM-120 AMRAAM|AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM]] missiles, and later on air-to-ground weaponry will be obtained when they reach sufficient maturity and will match their shelf life with the introduction of the aircraft. The air-to-ground package might consist of [[GBU-53/B StormBreaker|GBU-53/B SDB II]] bombs, [[Joint Direct Attack Munition|GBU-31 JDAM]] bombs, [[Joint Strike Missile|JSM]] and [[AGM-158 JASSM|AGM-158B-2 JASSM-ER]] missiles, which all were offered in the deal. The DSCA notification also mentioned [[BLU-117]], [[BLU-111]] and [[BLU-109]] bombs, as well as [[AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon|AGM-154C-1 Joint Stand Off Weapons]] (although the latter is unlikely as production ended in 2023).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/finland-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-aircraft-air-air-missiles-and-air|title=Finland – F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft With Air-to-air Missiles And Air-to-ground Precision Guided Munitions|access-date=2022-02-12|date=2020-10-09|publisher=[[Defense Security Cooperation Agency]]}}</ref>

==Equipment==
{{main|List of aircraft in the Finnish Air Force}}

=== Aircraft ===
[[File:F18 Hornet - RIAT 2018 (30226236978).jpg|thumb|right|An F/A-18C of the Finnish Air Force]]
[[File:Pilatus PC-12 (PI-03) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|A Finnish PC-12NG in flight]]
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
| [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|Boeing F/A-18]]
| [[United States]]
| [[Multirole combat aircraft|Multirole]]
| [[F/A-18#Variants|F/A-18C MLU2]]
| 53<ref name="World Air Forces 2024">{{cite web |last = Hoyle |first = Craig |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881|title = World Air Forces 2024|publisher= [[FlightGlobal]] |year= 2023 |access-date= 4 April 2024}}</ref>
|The first unit was retired on 26 April 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-26 |title=Ilmavoimien komentaja lensi ensimmäisen Hornetin eläkkeelle - |url=https://ilmavoimat.fi/-/ilmavoimien-komentaja-lensi-ensimmaisen-hornetin-elakkeelle |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=Ilmavoimat |language=fi-FI}}</ref> 1 lost in May 2025<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://localhost/wikibase/wiki.php?id=509322|title=Accident Boeing F/A-18C Hornet HN-409, Wednesday 7 May 2025|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=localhost}}</ref>
|-
| [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|Boeing F/A-18]]
| [[United States]]
| [[Trainer aircraft#Operational conversion|Conversion trainer]]
| [[F/A-18#Variants|F/A-18D MLU2]]
| 7<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|-
| [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35 Lightning II]]
| [[United States]]
| [[Multirole combat aircraft|Multirole]]
| [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#F-35A|F-35A]]
|
| 64 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Electronic-warfare aircraft|Electronic warfare]]
|-
| [[EADS CASA C-295|Airbus C295]]
| [[Spain]]
| [[Electronic-warfare aircraft|Electronic warfare]]
| C295M
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| 
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|-
| [[EADS CASA C-295|Airbus C295]]
| [[Spain]]
| [[Transport]]
| C295M
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| 
|-
| [[Learjet 35]]
| [[United States]]
| [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
| 
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|-
| [[Pilatus PC-12]]
| [[Switzerland]]
| [[Liaison aircraft|Liaison]] 
| [[Pilatus PC-12#Design and development|PC-12NG]]
| 6<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Trainer aircraft]]
|-
| [[BAE Systems Hawk|BAE Hawk]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
| [[Jet trainer]]
| [[BAE Systems Hawk#Hawk 50|51 / 51A]] / [[BAE Systems Hawk#Hawk 60|66]]
| 35<ref name="hawks">{{cite web|title=Finnish Air Force Aircraft Fact Sheet: BAE Systems Hawk|url=http://ilmavoimat.fi/documents/1951206/2016308/Finnish+Air+Force+Fact+Sheet+-+BAE+Systems+Hawk++%28JAN+18%29.pdf/4ca16b89-1a40-48bb-9a7e-d60832e67d9d/Finnish+Air+Force+Fact+Sheet+-+BAE+Systems+Hawk++%28JAN+18%29.pdf.pdf|publisher=Finnish Air Force|date=December 2017|accessdate=3 June 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142431/http://ilmavoimat.fi/documents/1951206/2016308/Finnish+Air+Force+Fact+Sheet+-+BAE+Systems+Hawk++%28JAN+18%29.pdf/4ca16b89-1a40-48bb-9a7e-d60832e67d9d/Finnish+Air+Force+Fact+Sheet+-+BAE+Systems+Hawk++%28JAN+18%29.pdf.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|-
| [[Grob G 115|Grob G 115E]]
| [[Germany]]
| Primary trainer
| 
| 28<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| 
|}
Note: Three [[C-17 Globemaster III]]'s are available through the [[Heavy Airlift Wing]] based in [[Hungary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sacprogram.org/en/Pages/Heavy-Airlift-Wing.aspx|title=Heavy Airlift Wing|publisher=[[Strategic Airlift Capability]] Program|access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref>

In May 2025, the Finnish Air Force announced their intention to, within the Nordic Defence Collaboration, join the [[Airbus_A330_MRTT|A330 MRTT Tanker]] initiative and join the [[European_Air_Transport_Command|EATC]] based at Eindhoven Airbase (NL).

===Armament===
[[File:AIM 9L Sidewinder (modified) copy.jpg|thumb|right|An AIM-9 Sidewinder]]
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Name
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Air-to-air missile]]
|-
| [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]]
*AIM-9X (150)
*AIM-9X Block II (150)
| [[United States]]
| Short-range air-to-air missile
| 630(40) units<ref name="sipri1" /><ref name="DSCA">{{cite web |url= https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/finland-aim-9x-block-ii-tactical-missiles-and-agm-154-joint-standoff |title= Finland – AIM 9X Block II Tactical Missiles and AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons |date= 28 November 2022 |access-date=25 January 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]]<br />
* AIM-120B
* AIM-120C-7 (300)
* AIM-120C-8
| United States
| [[Beyond-visual-range missile]]
|754 units<ref name="sipri1">[http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php Trade Registers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513073842/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |date=2011-05-13 }}. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 2017-12-23.</ref>
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Air-to-surface missile]]
|-
| [[AGM-154]] JSOW<ref name="sipri1"/>
* AGM-154C (48)
* AGM-154C-1 (200)
| United States
| [[Joint Standoff Weapon|Joint standoff weapon]]
| 11(48)units<ref name="sipri1" /><ref name="DSCA"/>
|-
| [[AGM-158]]A JASSM
* AGM-158A (70)
* AGM-158B-2 (200)
| United States
| [[Air-launched cruise missile]]
| 70 units<ref name="sipri1"/>
|-
|[[AGM-88 HARM|AGM-88G AARGM-ER]]
|United States

| [[Air-to-surface missile|Air-to-surface]] [[anti-radiation missile]]
|150 units<ref>{{cite web | title=Finland – Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) &#124; Defense Security Cooperation Agency | url=https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/finland-advanced-anti-radiation-guided-missiles-extended-range-aargm }}</ref>
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[General-purpose bomb]]
|-
| [[GBU-31]] 
* BLU-117 (120)

* GBU-31V1 shrapnel (?)<ref name="auto">{{cite web | title=Suomi ostaa F-35 -hävittäjäjärjestelmään JDAM ja GBU-39 SDB I - ilmasta maahan -aseistusta &#124; lentoposti.fi | date=22 February 2024 | url=https://www.lentoposti.fi/uutiset/suomi_ostaa_f_35_h_vitt_j_j_rjestelm_n_jdam_ja_gbu_39_sdb_i_ilmasta_maahan_aseistusta }}</ref>
* GBU-31V3/BLU-109 (32) bunker-busters
| United States
| [[Precision-guided munition|Precision guided munition]]
| 114 units - (Mk 84 {{convert|2000|lb|kg|abbr=on}})<ref name="sipri1"/>
|-
| [[GBU-32]]
| United States
|  Precision guided munition
|  Mk 83, {{convert|1000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="sipri1"/>
|-
| [[GBU-38]]
* BLU-111 (150)
| United States
| Precision guided munition
| Mk 82, {{convert|500|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="sipri1"/>
|-
| [[GBU-53/B StormBreaker]]
| United States
| Precision guided munition
| 200 units - (SDB II, {{convert|204|lb|kg|abbr=on}})<ref>{{cite web | title=Suomi ostaa F-35A -hävittäjäjärjestelmään GBU-53/B SDB II -ampumatarvikkeita 35 miljoonalla eurolla &#124; lentoposti.fi | date=June 2023 | url=https://www.lentoposti.fi/uutiset/suomi_ostaa_f_35a_h_vitt_j_j_rjestelm_n_gbu_53b_sdb_ii_ampumatarvikkeita_35_miljoonalla_eurolla }}</ref>
|-
| [[GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb]]

* GBU-39 SDB I
| United States
| Precision guided munition
| ? units - (SDB I, {{convert|285|lb|kg|abbr=on}})<ref name="auto"/>
|}

==Organization==
{{Location map+ | Finland
| width = 360
| float = right
| caption = Finnish Air Force bases<br /> [[File:Red pog.svg|8px]] [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F-18C/D]] [[File:Blue 0080ff pog.svg|8px]] [[BAE Hawk|Hawk]] [[File:Green pog.svg|8px]] Support
| relief = 
| places =
  {{Location map~ | Finland
    | label = <small>[[Rovaniemi Airport|Rovaniemi]]</small>
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Red pog.svg
    | marksize =
    | lat_deg = 66 |lat_min = 33 | lat_sec = 42
    | lon_deg = 25 |lon_min = 49 | lon_sec = 51
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Finland
    | label = <small>[[Tampere–Pirkkala Airport|Tampere–Pirkkala]]</small>
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Green pog.svg
    | marksize =
    | lat_deg = 61 |lat_min = 24 | lat_sec = 55
    | lon_deg = 23 |lon_min = 35 | lon_sec = 16
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Finland
    | label = <small>[[Kuopio Airport|Kuopio]]</small>
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Red pog.svg
    | marksize =
    | lat_deg = 63 |lat_min = 00 | lat_sec = 31
    | lon_deg = 27 |lon_min = 47 | lon_sec = 40
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Finland
    | label = <small>[[Tikkakoski]]</small>
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize =
    | lat_deg = 62 |lat_min = 24 | lat_sec = 03
    | lon_deg = 25 |lon_min = 40 | lon_sec = 22
  }}
}}

[[File:CASA C-295 (code CC-3) of the Finnish Air Force departs RIAT Fairford 17July2017 arp.jpg|thumb|[[EADS CASA C-295|Airbus C295M]] of the Finnish Air Force]] 
[[File:Hawk 51 (HW-352) of the Finnish Air Force arrives RIAT Fairford 13July2017 arp.jpg|thumb|A [[BAE Hawk|BAe Hawk 51]] of the Finnish [[Midnight Hawks]]]]
The Air Force is organised into three air wings, the Air Force Academy, and the Air Force Command.

* '''Air Force General Staff''', in [[Tikkakoski]]
** '''Air Force Command''' (AFCOMFIN), at [[Jyväskylä Airport|Jyväskylä–Tikkakoski Air Base]]
*** Air Operations Centre, at [[Jyväskylä Airport|Jyväskylä–Tikkakoski Air Base]]
** '''[[Lapland Air Command|Lapland Air Wing]]''', at [[Rovaniemi Airport|Rovaniemi Air Base]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index.php?id=45|title=Puolustusvoimat|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114042304/http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index.php?id=45|archive-date=14 November 2006}}</ref>
*** Headquarters
*** 5th Control and Reporting Centre
*** [[No. 11 Squadron (Finland)|Fighter Squadron 11]]
*** Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
*** Communications Flight
** '''[[Karelia Air Command|Karelia Air Wing]]''', at [[Kuopio Airport|Kuopio Air Base]]
*** Headquarters
*** 7th Control and Reporting Centre
*** [[No. 31 Squadron (Finland)|Fighter Squadron 31]]
*** Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
*** Communications Flight
*** Logistics Flight
*** Force Protection Squadron
** '''[[Satakunta Air Command|Satakunta Air Wing]]''', at [[Tampere-Pirkkala airport|Tampere-Pirkkala Air Base]]<ref>Satakunnan lennoston organisaatio. Satakunta Air Command. Retrieved 2008-12-22. {{in lang|fi}}</ref>
*** Headquarters
*** Supporting Air Operations Squadron
**** Headquarters flight
**** 1st Flight ([[EADS CASA C-295|Airbus C295M]])
**** 2nd Flight ([[Learjet 35|Learjet 35A/S]])
**** 3rd Flight ([[Pilatus PC-12]])
*** Air Combat Centre
*** Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
*** Communications Flight
*** Logistics Flight
*** Force Protection Squadron
** '''[[Air Force Academy, Finnish Air Force|Air Force Academy]]''', at [[Jyväskylä Airport|Jyväskylä–Tikkakoski Air Base]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index.php?id=118 |title=Puolustusvoimat |language=fi |publisher=Ilmavoimat.fi |date=2014-02-14 |access-date=2014-02-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905094502/http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index.php?id=118 |archive-date=2007-09-05 }}</ref>
*** Headquarters
*** [[No. 41 Squadron, Finnish Air Force|Fighter Squadron 41]]
**** Headquarters Flight
**** 1st Flight, with [[BAE Hawk|Hawk Mk.51]], Mk.51A, Mk.66
**** 2nd Flight, with Hawk Mk.51, Mk.51A, Mk.66
**** 3rd Flight, with Hawk Mk.51, Mk.51A, Mk.66
**** 4th Flight, with [[Grob G 115|Grob G 115E]]
*** Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
*** Training Battalion
**** Air Force Reserve Officer School
**** Air Force NCO School
**** Communications Company
**** Aircraft Maintenance Company
*** Communications Flight
*** Logistics Flight
*** [[Finnish Air Force Band|Air Force Band]]

=== War time strength ===
* 2x F-18C squadrons
* 1x Hawk squadron
* 1x Supporting Air Operations Squadron
* 4x Stand-by bases
* 4x Communication flights

Total strength is 38,000.

==Commanders==
{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 0.95em;"
|-
|'''Rank'''||'''Name'''||'''From'''||'''To'''
|-
| [[Captain]] || [[Carl Seber]]|| 28 April 1918||13 December 1918
|-
| [[Lieutenant Colonel]] || Torsten Aminoff ||14 December 1918||9 January 1919
|-
| [[Colonel]] || [[Sixtus Hjelmmann]]||10 January 1919||25 October 1920
|-
| [[Major (rank)|Major]] || [[Arne Somersalo]] ||26 October 1920||2 February 1926
|-
| Colonel || [[Väinö Vuori]]||2 February 1926||7 September 1932
|-
| [[Lieutenant General]] ||[[Jarl Lundqvist]]||8 September 1932||29 June 1945
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Frans Helminen]]||30 June 1945||30 November 1952
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Reino Artola]]||1 December 1952||5 December 1958
|-
| [[Major General]] || [[Fjalar Seeve]]||6 December 1958||12 September 1964
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Reino Turkki]]||13 September 1964||4 December 1968
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Eero Salmela]]||7 February 1969||21 April 1975
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Rauno Meriö]]||22 April 1975||31 January 1987
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Pertti Jokinen]]||1 February 1987||31 January 1991
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Heikki Nikunen]]||1 February 1991||30 April 1995
|-
| Major General || [[Matti Ahola]]||1 May 1995||31 August 1998
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Jouni Pystynen]]||1 September 1998||31 December 2004
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Heikki Lyytinen]]||1 January 2005||31 July 2008
|-
| Lieutenant General || [[Jarmo Lindberg]] ||1 August 2008||29 February 2012
|-
| Major General || [[Lauri Puranen]]||1 March 2012||31 March 2014
|-
| Major General || [[Kim Jäämeri]]||1 April 2014||31 May 2017
|-
| Major General || [[Sampo Eskelinen]]||1 June 2017||31 March 2019
|-
| Major General || [[Pasi Jokinen]]||1 April 2019||31 May 2022
|-
|Major General
|Juha-Pekka Keränen
|1 June 2022
|
|}

==See also==
*[[List of military aircraft of Finland]]
*[[List of World War II aces from Finland]]
*[[List of air forces]]

==References==

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. "Annals of the Gauntlet". ''Air Enthusiast Quarterly'', No. 2, n.d., pp.&nbsp;163–176. {{ISSN|0143-5450}} 
* Guest, Carl-Fredrick. "Talkback". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 18, April – July 1982. pp.&nbsp;78–79. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.
* {{cite magazine|last=Owers|first=Colin|title=Fokker's Fifth: The C.V Multi-role Biplane|magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |date=Spring 1994|issue=53 |pages=60–68 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book| last = Shores | first = Christopher | title = Finnish Air Force, 1918–1968 | location = Reading, Berkshire, UK | publisher = Osprey Publications Ltd. | year=1969 | isbn = 978-0668021210 }}
* Silvester, John. "Call to Arms: The Percival Sea Prince and Pembroke". ''Air Enthusiast'', No. 55, Autumn 1994, pp.&nbsp;56–61. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Stenman |first=Kari |title=From Britain to Finland: Supplies for the Winter War |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |issue= 94 |date=July–August 2001 |issn=0143-5450 |pages=56–59 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Air force of Finland}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?airlinesearch=Finland%20-%20Air%20Force Pictures of Finnish Air Force aircraft at Airliners.net]

{{Finnish Air Force structure}}
{{Finnish Defence Forces}}
{{Allied Air Command}}
{{Air forces in Europe}}
{{Air forces}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Finnish Air Force| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1918]]
[[Category:Aviation in Finland]]
[[Category:1918 establishments in Finland]]