More Capability to the Hornet

The most important goal of the Finnish Air Force’s development programme within the next few years is to further enhance the performance of the Hornet air defence fighter by furnishing the aircraft with air-to-ground capability, introducing the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) and procuring new air-to-air missiles. Simultaneously, the development of the command and control system and the air base systems will be carried out. As the result of these improvements the deterrent effect of the Air Force and the fighters’ engagement range will increase considerably while the Hornet’s close-in combat capabilities will be boosted to a significant extent.

In addition to the foregoing, the Finnish Air Force aims at increasing the air transport capacity of the Defence Forces. The present transport and liaison aircraft of the Air Force will be replaced by two light transports and 8 to 10 liaison aircraft by the end of this decade. Both procurements will improve the capability of the Air Force to participate in international operations.

Projects included in the development programme of the Air Force relate to Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) 1 and 2 of the Hornet, air transport capacity, flight training, readiness bases, and intelligence and air surveillance. As part of the Defence Force’s project to improve strike capability, the fighters will be provided with an air-to-ground capability, and the Air Force’s rapid deployment unit for international crisis management operations in Europe will be established. The air-to-ground capability results in the expansion of the range of operations that can be assigned to the Hornet to include the use of stand-off air-to-ground weapons. This will be included in MLU 2 of the Hornet. The development of the system continues till the year 2016.

Development of the Hornet

MLU 1 of the Hornet will take place by the end of this decade. The capabilities of the fighter will be enhanced by new air-to-air missiles and the JHMCS associated with the upgrade of the software. Engagement range will be increased by introducing long-range missiles. The fighter’s close-in combat capabilities and the deterrent effect will be also improved. 

The objective is to achieve a better exchange ratio in case of a fighter getting unexpectedly involved in close combat due to identification problems or depletion of radar missiles. Situational awareness can be increased by enabling the transmission of air picture even under jamming or interference.

MLU 2, the last upgrade according to the present plans, is scheduled to be implemented at the beginning of the next decade. It includes, among other things, the improvement of the electronic countermeasures suites and, possibly, the procurement of new air-to-air missiles. To increase situational awareness the Hornet will be equipped with new warning systems and upgraded communications and identification systems compatible with those of other nations. The structural lifespan of the aircraft will be ensured up to the planned withdrawal from service of the aircraft.

Increasing Air Transport Capacity

Due to the expiration of the cost-effective service life and termination of technical support the current transport and liaison aircraft of the Defence Forces will be retired by 2010. To ensure the availability of an air transport capacity the Fokker will be succeeded by two light transports in 2008, and eight liaison aircraft will be procured by the end of this decade. There is also study going on in order to define options for the purchase of heavy airlift capacity.

The new light transport aircraft provide capacity to move the Defence Force’s troops and material in Finland and abroad (for international exercises and the rapid deployment unit). The aircraft can be also used for limited medical evacuation of troops and parachute drops as well as for non-military transport duties, for example in conjunction with humanitarian operations.

The liaison aircraft provide, among other tasks, support for quick reaction alert detachments and air operations exercises, limited-scale transportation of personnel during a raised readiness state and under war-time conditions, and movement of material in small quantities.

Review of Flight Training System

The Air Force’s flight training system is under review with a number of changes being implemented by the end of the next decade. One objective is to create an international flight training centre in Kauhava which would ensure the continuation of military flight training at the air base. The other alternative is to continue national pilot training with a provision to sell training capacity also for other countries.

The main objective is to ensure pilot training for the personnel of the Defence Forces and the Frontier Guard in near future and also after the retirement from service of the current jet trainers. Training will be implemented in a cost-effective and safe manner without markedly increasing the number of aircraft maintenance personnel.

Fast jet training is carried out according to a sub-programme for the development of pilot training.

The goal of the sub-programme aimed at developing readiness bases is to make structural improvements at bases and to increase the performance of the airbase and C4IS systems maintenance units at the bases to meet operational requirements and raise it to the level defined in the Government report on security and defence policy. The requirements of international operations have also been taken into account in the development of the system.

The projects related to readiness bases are aimed to develop, among other things, the capabilities of explosive ordnance disposal flights, NBC protection in the bases, general logistics functions, field medical service, and ground support and dispersal of the Hornet flying units.

The Finnish Air Force in Developing the Integrated Intelligence, Surveillance and Command and Control System

As part of the Defence Forces’ integrated intelligence, surveillance and command and control system the Air Force manages a sub-programme comprising three development projects: Multi-Sensor Tracking (MST) fusion system, air surveillance and passive surveillance. In the MST system several radars and/or passive sensors monitor the same air target. The sub-project will enable the creation of a combat resistant target picture for all services by use of all surveillance sensors.

The medium-range surveillance radars are ageing in their operability and maintainability and they will be replaced by a modern up-to-date radar system while the service life of the long-range surveillance radars will be continued up to the year 2025.

International Operations

The purpose of the Air Force’s international crisis management project is to develop, equip and train a flying unit to fulfil the Air Force’s role in the Defence Force’s readiness plan relating to the European crisis management capability. The strength of the Air Force’s rapid deployment unit will be 200 persons. By a separate decision, the unit can be assigned to operate as part of a multinational flying detachment. An initial operational capability will be achieved by 2008 and the full operational capability by 2010.