A Finnish F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed near Rovaniemi airport in northern Finland, the country's Air Force said. The pilot ejected successfully and was found alive. There were no casualties on the ground, reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
Finland has 62 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, purchased between 1992 and 2000. In 2021. The country decided to replace them with new Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters as part of its air force modernization efforts.
The F/A-18 Hornet is a multirole fighter jet developed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing) designed to perform a variety of combat missions, including air combat and ground attack. It entered service in 1983 and is used by several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Finland.
The fighter is known for its maneuverability and reliability, having been used in various military operations around the world.
Finnish authorities will conduct an investigation to determine the causes of the crash. Additional information is expected to be provided after the investigation is completed.