US Approves $156 Million For Finnish F/A-18 Aircraft Mid-Life Upgrade Program

The US State Department has sale to Finland for F/A-18 Mid-Life Upgrade Program and related support, equipment, and training for an estimated cost of $156 million Monday.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on December 2, 2016.

The Government of Finland has requested a possible sale of follow-on equipment and support for Finland’s F/A-18 Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program, consisting of: 90 Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS) variant(s).

The proposed program support also includes software test and integration center upgrades, flight testing, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, transportation, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

The Finnish Air Force (FAF) intend to purchase this MLU program equipment and services to extend the life of its F/A-18 fighter aircraft and enhance their survivability and communications connectivity. The FDF needs this upgrade to keep pace with technology advances in sensors, weaponry, and communications.

The principal contractors will be Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company, BAE  Systems, General Electric, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Rockwell Collins, ViaSat, and Data Link Solutions. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.