Finland Moves to Boost Air Defences With New U.S. AMRAAM Purchase

AIM-120 AMRAAM

Aviation News – Finland has announced it will procure Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) from the United States, strengthening its air-defence capability as it prepares to introduce a new fleet of F-35 fighter jets.

The decision follows Finland’s 2022 order of 64 F-35s from Lockheed Martin, with the first aircraft set to arrive late next year. The missile acquisition marks another step in the country’s long-term defence strategy, shaped in part by its extensive border with Russia and its shift toward modern, interoperable NATO-standard systems.

AMRAAMs will equip Finland’s incoming F-35s with advanced beyond-visual-range engagement capabilities. The missiles are known for all-weather performance, high-speed targeting, and integration across multiple combat aircraft platforms, significantly enhancing operational readiness.