Finland; Hornets to be replaced by either Rafale or Gripen

Finland's MoD is currently considering the SAAB JAS 39E/F Gripen or French Dassault Rafale

as candidates to replace 55 Boeing F/A-18C Hornet single-seat and 7 F/A-18D two-seat multirole fighters with

Finland has requested and received classified documents on the capabilities of the Gripen. This has now confirmed by sources within both the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and within the Stockholm government.

Just before Easter, the Finnish Chief of Defence went along for a French Air Force training mission in the backseat of a Dassault Rafale B, flying in formation with at least one other Rafale after take-off from St. Dizier Airbase in France.