At Rissala Air Base, the works include the construction of protective shelters, maintenance, training and storage facilities, and airfield structures. These upgrades will ensure that operations align with Finnish Air Force doctrine and meet security requirements set by the manufacturer and the US government.
“F-35-rakentaminen on lennostossa edistynyt suunnitellusti. Tämä on tärkeää toimintamme kannalta, koska rakennustyöt ovat toisistaan riippuvaisia ja samaan aikaan lennoston pitää pystyä toteuttamaan tehtäviään,” said Lieutenant Colonel Samuli Tanttu, Chief of Staff of the Karelia Air Command.
Karelia Air Wing prepares to receive its first F-35 fighter aircraft in 2028. The Air Wing is constructing protective, maintenance, training, and storage facilities, as well as airfield infrastructure to support the transition to the new fleet. @KarjalanLsto #ilmavoimat pic.twitter.com/rfXDvPADJV
— Ilmavoimat (@FinnishAirForce) October 1, 2025
He added, “Tavoitteenamme on saada F-35-rakennustyöt pääosin valmiiksi vuoden 2027 aikana, jotta olemme valmiina ensimmäisten F-35-hävittäjien vastaanottoon vuoden 2028 aikana. Uuden kaluston vastaanotto ja rakennustyöt tekevät tulevista vuosista lennostolle kiireisiä, mutta varmasti mielenkiintoisia.”
The infrastructure works began in 2023 following project planning in 2022 and will support F-35 operations throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle. The Karelia Air Command, located in Toivala, Siilinjärvi, is the largest readiness unit in the Finnish Air Force and will continue as one of its two main operating bases when the F-35 replaces the current F/A-18 fleet.
“Ensimmäiset F-35-koneet on suunniteltu otettavaksi lennoston käyttöön vuoden 2028 aikana. Siihen asti meillä on aikaa tehdä valmisteluja uuden kaluston vastaanottamiseksi,” said Tanttu. “Vuodet 2028–2030 on ajanjakso, jolloin operoimme lennostossa sekä F/A-18- että F-35A-kalustolla.”
The upgrades are part of a wider effort to develop bases into battle-resilient units capable of supporting dispersed and flexible operations with both Finnish and allied aircraft. This includes ensuring all F-35s and critical functions can be placed in protective facilities if required.
Construction efforts also address Finland’s national security of supply requirements by building domestic repair capabilities and maintaining national spare parts reserves. The infrastructure must also comply with stringent F-35 security requirements concerning physical protection, surveillance, facility design and IT systems.
Due to the F-35A’s size and weight differences compared to the F/A-18, facilities such as maintenance areas require more space and structural reinforcements. The ability to conduct aircraft cross-servicing with NATO partners is also a focus, supporting the alliance’s Agile Combat Employment concept.
The Finnish Defence Forces and Defence Properties Finland (Puolustuskiinteistöt) presented the progress of the Rissala construction project to stakeholders on 30 September. Puolustuskiinteistöt serves as the strategic partner responsible for construction, real estate, and service management at the bases.
“Suomi on saanut kansainvälisiltä kumppaneilta myönteistä palautetta kyvystään toteuttaa vaativaa infrastruktuuria konevalmistajan vaatimusten mukaisesti. Tekniset ratkaisumme ja kykymme tarjota suojaa koneille on nähty edistyksellisinä,” said Matias Warsta, CEO of Puolustuskiinteistöt.
He continued, “Puolustusvoimien, Puolustuskiinteistöjen, suunnittelijoiden ja rakentajien tiiviillä yhteistyöllä olemme onnistuneet hyvin hankkeen toteutuksessa ja pysyneet aikataulussa.”
The construction is carried out by local, regional, and national companies, with F-35-related facilities being developed at all Finnish Air Force bases over the decade. Finland’s first F-35A aircraft will be introduced through initial training in the United States, with the first jets arriving in-country in the second half of 2026.
The F-35 is expected to reach Initial Operational Capability in Finland in early 2028 and Full Operational Capability by the end of 2030.
Source: Finnish Air Force.
