The Finnish Ministry of Defense has given the schedule of the HX program which aims at evaluating different multirole fighter aircraft to replace its Hornets. The next call for tenders will be sent to the participants by the end of 2019. “It will be specific to each industrialist and aims at optimizing the HX system presented by the candidates”, says the Ministry of Defense. In the meantime a first negotiation phase will be finalized by the end of the month of September, while the second phase should be concluded by the end of 2020. The aim is to enable the Finnish government to take a decision in 2021.

Moreover, the Ministry of Defense has announced the administration of defense will organize as of the beginning of 2020 the HX challenge which aims at planning the air demonstrations to evaluate the aircraft in competition. The flights will take place over Satakunta airport. Curently, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the Rafale, the Typhoon, the F-35 and the Gripen have been presented to Finland as part of the call for tender first phase. “The multirole fighters’ capabilities for air-to-ground and air-to-sea strikes as well as surveillance and intelligence capabilities will bring significant added value for our defense system”, comments the Finnish Ministry of Defense.