Finland Launches HX Challenge to Evaluate Competing Jets In €10 Fighter Procurement

Upto two pairs of Boeing Super Hornets, Eurofighter Typhoons, Lockheed F-35s and Saab Gripen fighters will be flown to Finland to take part in a series of tests designed to check whether they fit in the criteria specified under the €10 HX fighter competition, commencing January 9.
Information provided by the companies will be verified “in a fair manner” and under low temperature conditions and tests specified by the Ilmavoimat (Finnish Air Force).
Each of the four jets will be put through a series of flight tests, simulation tests and laboratory tests designed to check if it meets Finnish requirements at the Pirkkala base of Satakunta Airport until February 26.
The country will test the jets at low temperatures because it could affect the performance of electro-optical sensors, and other active and passive systems.
The Finnish Air Force will evaluate the candidates’ capabilities in five categories of operations: counter-air, counter-land, counter-sea, long-range strike as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. In addition, the candidates’ development potential until the 2060s and their ability to adapt to the Finnish Air Force doctrine will be assessed. Each candidate has to offer a maintenance system enabling sufficient self-reliance under emergency conditions
The Ministry of Defense issued a request for quotation (RFQ) that includes consolidated price of fighters, associated systems and weapons to the four companies (Lockheed, Boeing, Saab and Eurofighter) in October 2019.