Finland to acquire JASSM-ER cruise missiles

US Air Force armourers handle a JASSM-ER missile of the type that Finland is to acquire for its F-35As. (US DoD)

Finland is to acquire additional Lockheed Martin AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER) systems, Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen announced on 31 May.

Having previously procured the baseline AGM-158A JASSM-version of the stealthy next-generation stand-off weapon for the Finnish Air Force’s fleet of Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornet combat aircraft, this follow-on order of the JASSM-ER will cover the soon-to-be-delivered Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

“The procurement that will be carried out by the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command supplements the F-35 multirole fighter system’s capability with the precision-guided munition of a longer than previous range,” Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command said, following the announcement.