Finnish fighter jets, Allied aircraft train over Baltic skies

Finnish F/A-18 fighter jets have taken to the Baltic skies with Allied aircraft on Wednesday to participate in a NATO training exercise, said NATO in a press release on Thursday.

With the Finnish F/A-18s, the exercise also involved up to 20 Allied fighter jets based along NATO’s eastern flank including French Rafales, US F-15s, Dutch F-35s, Estonian L-39s and Eurofighters from the joint British and German detachment.

The fighter jets are supported by German air-to-air refuellers. The training exercise allows Allied aircraft and Finnish aircraft to practise air-to-air refuelling (AAR) capabilities, tactics and procedures to enhance the ability to operate effectively together in the air domain.

The Finnish Air Force participates regularly in NATO exercises across the Alliance.

Exercises like this help Finland to continue familiarising itself with Allied tactics and techniques as the country prepares to join the Alliance as a full member.