Finland's Parliament Advocates for Replacement of Hawk Aircraft
Finland's parliament has mandated the replacement of BAE Systems Hawk trainers to modernize its Air Force pilot training. The initiative aims to enhance the training quality for F-35 Lightning II pilots ahead of the 2030s.
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Finland's parliamentary working group on defence has called for the retirement of the BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainers, as documented in the 'Development and resource needs of national defence in the 2030s' report published on June 2, 2026. The Finnish Air Force currently operates 30 Hawk aircraft, including eight Hawk Mk 51s from 1980, seven Hawk Mk 55As from 1993, and 15 Hawk Mk 66s acquired from Switzerland in 2011.
The Air Force Academy manages these for pilot training, alongside the Midnight Hawks aerobatic team. Transitioning to a modern lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) is deemed essential for effective F-35 pilot training.
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