Finland has issued the Information Requests (RFI) as part of the HX program to search for a new fighter to replace the Boeing F / A-18C fleet Hornet (photo) of the country.
The RFIs have been sent to BAE Systems for the Eurofighter Typhoon, to Boeing for the F / A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle, to the Dassault for the Flurry, to Lockheed Martin for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter/ F-16 Fighting Falcon and the Saab for the Gripen.
Responses to RFI are expected no later than next October, with a request for proposals (RFP) scheduled for the 2018 spring. The contract is awarded in the 2021.
La Initial Operational Capacity must be reached at the beginning of the 2025. There Full Operational Capability must be reached in the 2030. The Finnish fleet of 55 Hornet in service from the 1990 it will be withdrawn from the service starting from the 2020, with the entire flight line laid down by 2025.
In addition to the new platform, Finland is trying to establish a MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) in the country through an industrial compensation package.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the HX program will require separate funding as it cannot be financed under the country's current defense budget framework.
(photo: Finnish Defense Forces)
