Finland will sign a $ 9.4 billion deal today to buy US F-35 fighter jets, bringing 64 anti-radar fighter jets to a country bordering Russia as Moscow threatens military action. action, unless NATO withdraws its forces from Eastern Europe, according to Reuters.
Finland, which was historically neutral during the Cold War, is a member of the EU but not of NATO, although the country has stressed that it aims to work with NATO and reserves the right to join.
The government said the decision to buy the advanced US aircraft, announced in December, was part of long-term plans to strengthen the country’s defense and not a response to the ongoing Western-Russian confrontation over Ukraine.
The agreements finalizing the purchase of the aircraft will be signed on Friday with the US government and Lockheed Martin, the ministry said.
“Yes, they will be signed today … It is a binding agreement that Finland will buy the aircraft,” Lauri Puranen, director of purchasing at the Finnish Ministry of Defense, told Reuters. Finland had previously stated that the aircraft would begin to be developed in 2027.
“This is another clear indication of how seriously Finland has always taken its national defense,” said Mikko Hautala, Finland’s ambassador to the United States. “It’s part of our long-term plan and it has nothing to do with the current situation.”
Finland has no plans to join NATO at the moment, its prime minister said in January. Nevertheless, Finland is purchasing NATO-compatible military equipment, which will allow for greater cooperation.
Source: Capital
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