Ukraine officially asks Finland for Hornet fighter jets
Hornet fighter jets (Photo:Emilio/flickr.com)
Ukraine has officially asked Finland to look at transferring its F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, said Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.
The key issue, according to the newspaper, is the tripartite negotiations between Ukraine, Finland, and the USA.
The transfer of aircraft requires U.S. approval since they were manufactured by a U.S. company.
The formal request comes after Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin discussed the possibility of transferring Hornet fighter jets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Finland is gradually decommissioning old Hornet fighter jets and replacing them with new U.S. F-35 fighters.
Finnish PM Sanna Marin said during her surprise visit to Ukraine on March 10 that her country might consider transferring its old F-18 Hornet fighter jets to Ukraine. She emphasized that discussions were just beginning, and it would require wide international cooperation.
In turn, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said the supply of Finnish fighter jets to Ukraine “hasn’t been discussed with anyone.”
After that, Marin said that no one had promised to supply Hornet fighter jets to Ukraine. She clarified that she understands Ukraine’s needs for heavier weapons to fight Russia and underscored the need to look at the transfer of Finland’s Hornets.
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