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=== World War I and interwar era ===
  
=== World War I and interwar era ===
−
The Finnish Air Force was founded during the Finnish Civil War in early 1918 as the flying branch of the White Guards, although the opposing Red Guards also had their own flying corps. It bought its first aircraft, a NAB Albatros on 20 February 1918, but a [[Thulin Typ D]] donated by Swedish count Eric von Rosen entered service before it. The Thulin was painted with von Rosen's personal symbols of luck, blue swastikas, which became the FAF's first insignia. Initially the FAF relied mainly on captured Russian aircraft and then on German aircraft, until Germany was defeated in World War I. Later the FAF began to briefly favour French aircraft until ceasing to prefer any particular country in the mid-1920s. Attempts to become self-reliant by developing indigenous aircraft like the [[IVL Haukka]] were not successful.
 +
The Finnish Air Force was founded during the Finnish Civil War in early 1918 as the flying branch of the White Guards, although the opposing Red Guards also had their own flying corps. It bought its first aircraft, a [[Albatros B.II|N.A.B. Albatros]] on 20 February 1918, but a [[Thulin Typ D]] donated by Swedish count Eric von Rosen entered service before it. The Thulin was painted with von Rosen's personal symbols of luck, blue swastikas, which became the FAF's first insignia. Initially the FAF relied mainly on captured Russian aircraft and then on German aircraft, until Germany was defeated in World War I. Later the FAF began to briefly favour French aircraft until ceasing to prefer any particular country in the mid-1920s. Attempts to become self-reliant by developing indigenous aircraft like the [[IVL Haukka]] were not successful.
   
−
As the threat of a new World War grew in the late1930s, the FAF high command argued over whether they should build a strictly defensive air force that relies almost entirely on fighters, or buy Bristol Blenheim bombers that could provide give the FAF strategic offensive capabilities. The latter suggestion won, and the FAF ordered 18 Blenheim Mk Is while the [[Valtion lentokonetehdas]] (''State Aircraft Factory'', VL) built 15 more under licence. This decision limited the amount of fighters the FAF could buy, and has been retrospectively viewed as a mistake.
 +
As the threat of a new World War grew in the late 1930s, the FAF high command argued over whether they should build a strictly defensive air force that relies almost entirely on fighters, or buy [[Bristol Blenheim]] bombers that could provide the FAF tactical offensive capabilities. The latter suggestion won, and the FAF ordered 18 Blenheim Mk Is while the [[Valtion lentokonetehdas]] (''State Aircraft Factory'', VL) built 15 more under licence. This decision limited the amount of fighters the FAF could buy, and has been retrospectively viewed as a mistake.
   
 
=== World War II ===
  
=== World War II ===
Line 105: Line 105:
   
 
== Retired inventory ==
  
== Retired inventory ==
  +
  +
=== Fixed-wing aircraft ===
 
{| class="article-table"
  
{| class="article-table"
 
!Aircraft
  
!Aircraft
Line 161: Line 163:
 
|AN
  
|AN
 
|
  
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Beechcraft B17]]
  +
|Liaison
  +
|1
  +
|1940-1945
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Beriev MBR-2]]
  +
|Maritime Patrol
  +
|5
  +
|1941-1942
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|VV
  +
|Captured
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Blackburn Ripon]]
  
|[[Blackburn Ripon]]
Line 172: Line 190:
 
|[[Brequet 14|Brequet 14A.2]]
  
|[[Brequet 14|Brequet 14A.2]]
 
|Reconnaissance
  
|Reconnaissance
−
|
 +
|30
 
|1919-1927
  
|1919-1927
 
|France
  
|France
 
|BR
  
|BR
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Bristol Blenheim]]
  +
|Bomber
  +
|98
  +
|1937-1958
  +
|UK
  +
|BL
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Brewster Buffalo|Brewster B-239]]
  
|[[Brewster Buffalo|Brewster B-239]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|44
  +
|1940-1948
−
|
  
 
|USA
  
|USA
 
|BW
  
|BW
Line 203: Line 229:
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Caudron C.59]]
  
|[[Caudron C.59]]
  +
|Multi-purpose
−
|
  
−
|
 +
|3
  +
|1923-1931
−
|
  
 
|France
  
|France
−
|
 +
|CA
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Caudron C.60]]
  
|[[Caudron C.60]]
  +
|Basic trainer
−
|
  
−
|
 +
|64
  +
|1923-1936
−
|
  
 
|France
  
|France
 
|CA
  
|CA
Line 220: Line 246:
 
|[[Caudron C.714]]
  
|[[Caudron C.714]]
 
|Light fighter
  
|Light fighter
−
|
 +
|6
 
|1940
  
|1940
 
|France
  
|France
Line 228: Line 254:
 
|[[Caudron G.3]]
  
|[[Caudron G.3]]
 
|
  
|
−
|
 +
|19
  +
|1920-1924
−
|
  
 
|France
  
|France
 
|
  
|
Line 240: Line 266:
 
|France
  
|France
 
|
  
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Cessna 402 |Cessna 402B Businessliner]]
  +
|Transport
  +
|2
  +
|1975-1984
  +
|USA
  +
|CB
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Cessna C-37]]
  +
|Trainer
  +
|1
  +
|1939-1944
  +
|USA
  +
|CE
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
Line 258: Line 300:
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[de Havilland DH.60 Moth]]
 +
|[[de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver]]
  +
|Light transport
−
|
  
−
|
 +
|3
  +
|1958-1971
  +
|Canada
  +
|BV
 
|
  
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[de Havilland DH.60 Moth]]
  +
|Trainer
  +
|23
  +
|1929-1944
 
|UK
  
|UK
−
|
 +
|MO
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
Line 272: Line 322:
 
|UK
  
|UK
 
|MO
  
|MO
−
|Interned from Norway
 +
|Interned
  +
|-
  +
|[[de Havilland Vampire]]
  +
|Fighter
  +
|6
  +
|1954-1965
  +
|UK
  +
|VA
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[de Havilland Vampire |de Havilland Vampire Trainer]]
  +
|Fighter trainer
  +
|9
  +
|1955-1965
  +
|UK
  +
|VT
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Desoutter II]]
  +
|Liaison
  +
|1
  +
|1941-1944
  +
|UK
  +
|DS
  +
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[DFW C.V]]
  
|[[DFW C.V]]
Line 280: Line 354:
 
|Germany
  
|Germany
 
|
  
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Dornier Do 17|Dornier Do 17Z]]
  +
|Bomber
  +
|15
  +
|1942-1948
  +
|Germany
  +
|DN
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Dornier Do 22]]
  +
|Anti-submarine
  +
|4
  +
|1941-1945
  +
|Germany
  +
|DR
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47]]
  +
|Transport
  +
|9
  +
|1960-1984
  +
|USA
  +
|DO
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Douglas DC-2]]
  +
|Transport
  +
|3
  +
|1940-1956
  +
|USA
  +
|DC, later DO
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Fairchild 24]]
  +
|Liaison
  +
|1
  +
|1939-1941
  +
|USA
  +
|FD
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
Line 293: Line 407:
 
|Liaison
  
|Liaison
 
|2
  
|2
  +
|1939-1960
−
|
  
 
|Germany
  
|Germany
 
|ST
  
|ST
Line 315: Line 429:
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Fokker C.V]]
  
|[[Fokker C.V]]
  +
|Reconnaissance
−
|
  
−
|
 +
|19
  +
|1927-1945
−
|
  
 
|Netherlands
  
|Netherlands
 
|FO
  
|FO
Line 332: Line 446:
 
|[[Fokker D.VII]]
  
|[[Fokker D.VII]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|3
  +
|1919-1924
−
|
  
 
|Germany
  
|Germany
 
|
  
|
Line 348: Line 462:
 
|[[Fokker D.XXI]]
  
|[[Fokker D.XXI]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|97
  +
|1937-1948
−
|
  
 
|Netherlands
  
|Netherlands
 
|FR
  
|FR
Line 362: Line 476:
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Fouga CM.170 Magister]]
 +
|[[Fokker F.VII]]
  +
|Transport
−
|Fighter trainer
  
  +
|1
  +
|1941-1943
  +
|Netherlands
  +
|FE
 
|
  
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Fokker F.VIII]]
  +
|Transport
  +
|1
  +
|1940-1941
  +
|Netherlands
 
|
  
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Folland Gnat]]
  +
|Light fighter
  +
|13
  +
|1958-1974
  +
|UK
  +
|GN
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Fouga CM.170 Magister]]
  +
|Fighter trainer
  +
|80
  +
|1958-1988
 
|France
  
|France
 
|FM
  
|FM
Line 404: Line 542:
 
|[[Gloster Gamecock]]
  
|[[Gloster Gamecock]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|17
  +
|1927-1944
−
|
  
 
|UK
  
|UK
 
|GA
  
|GA
Line 420: Line 558:
 
|[[Gloster Gladiator]]
  
|[[Gloster Gladiator]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|30
  +
|1940-1945
−
|
  
 
|UK
  
|UK
 
|GL
  
|GL
Line 432: Line 570:
 
|France
  
|France
 
|
  
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Hanriot H.230|Hanriot H.232]]
  +
|Trainer
  +
|3
  +
|1941-1945
  +
|France
  +
|HT
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
Line 439: Line 585:
 
|1940-1944
  
|1940-1944
 
|UK
  
|UK
  +
|HU, later HC
−
|HC (originally HU)
  
  +
|One captured
  +
|-
  +
|[[Heinkel He 115]]
  +
|Maritime patrol
  +
|3
  +
|1940-1944
  +
|Germany
  +
|HE
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
Line 509: Line 663:
 
|
  
|
 
|1
  
|1
  +
|1927
−
|
  
 
|Finland
  
|Finland
 
|
  
|
Line 523: Line 677:
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Junkers A50 |Junkers A50 Junior]]
  
|[[Junkers A50 |Junkers A50 Junior]]
  +
|Liaison
−
|
  
−
|
 +
|2
  +
|1936-1940
−
|
  
 
|Germany
  
|Germany
−
|
 +
|SK
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Junkers K 43]]
 +
|[[Junkers F 13]]
  +
|Multi-purpose
−
|
  
−
|
 +
|3
  +
|1939-1947
−
|
  
 
|Germany
  
|Germany
 
|JU
  
|JU
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Junkers W 34]]
 +
|[[Junkers Ju 88]]
  +
|Bomber
−
|
  
−
|
 +
|24
  +
|1943-1948
  +
|Germany
  +
|JK
 
|
  
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Junkers K 43]] & [[Junkers W43|W43]]
  +
|Bomber, transport
  +
|12
  +
|1930-1952
 
|Germany
  
|Germany
  +
|JU
 
|
  
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Koolhoven F.K. 31]]
  +
|Reconnaissance
  +
|12
  +
|1926-1932
  +
|Netherlands
  +
|KO
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Koolhoven F.K.52]]
  
|[[Koolhoven F.K.52]]
  +
|Multi-purpose
−
|
  
 
|2
  
|2
 
|1940-1943
  
|1940-1943
Line 556: Line 726:
 
|[[Letov Š-18|Letov Š-218]]
  
|[[Letov Š-18|Letov Š-218]]
 
|Basic trainer
  
|Basic trainer
−
|
 +
|39
  +
|1930-1945
−
|
  
 
|Czechoslovakia
  
|Czechoslovakia
−
|
 +
|SM
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
Line 572: Line 742:
 
|[[Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard]]
  
|[[Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|15
  +
|1923-1939
−
|
  
 
|UK
  
|UK
 
|MA
  
|MA
Line 580: Line 750:
 
|[[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Messerschmitt Bf 109G]]
  
|[[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Messerschmitt Bf 109G]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|159
  +
|1943-1954
−
|
  
 
|Germany
  
|Germany
 
|MT
  
|MT
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI]]
  +
|Fighter trainer
  +
|4
  +
|1962-1977
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|MU
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21Bis]]
  +
|Fighter
  +
|20
  +
|1978-1998
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|MB, later MG
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F]]
  +
|Fighter
  +
|22
  +
|1963-1986
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|MG
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21U, US, UM]]
  +
|Fighter trainer
  +
|6
  +
|1965-1998
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|MK
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
Line 596: Line 798:
 
|[[Morane-Saulnier M.S.406|Morane-Saulnier MS 406]]
  
|[[Morane-Saulnier M.S.406|Morane-Saulnier MS 406]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|87
  +
|1940-1948
−
|
  
 
|France
  
|France
 
|MS
  
|MS
Line 632: Line 834:
 
|France
  
|France
 
|
  
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Pervical Pembroke]]
  +
|Aerial photography
  +
|2
  +
|1965-1968
  +
|UK
  +
|PR
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Petlyakov Pe-2|Petlyakov PE-2]]
  +
|Reconnaissance
  +
|7
  +
|1941-1946
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|PE
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Petlyakov Pe-2|Petlyakov Pe-3]]
  +
|Reconnaissance
  +
|1
  +
|1943-1944
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|PE
  +
|Captured
  +
|-
  +
|[[Piper PA-28 Cherokee|Piper PA-28R Cherokee Arrow]]
  +
|Communications
  +
|10
  +
|1974-2004
  +
|USA
  +
|PA
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Piper PA-31 Navajo]]
  +
|Transport
  +
|1
  +
|1974-1975
  +
|USA
  +
|PN
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain]]
  +
|Transport
  +
|6
  +
|1983-2011
  +
|USA
  +
|PC
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Polikarpov I-15bis]]
  
|[[Polikarpov I-15bis]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|5
 
|1940-1945
  
|1940-1945
 
|Soviet Union
  
|Soviet Union
  +
|VH, later IH
−
|
  
 
|Captured
  
|Captured
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Polikarpov I-16]]
  
|[[Polikarpov I-16]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|2
  +
|1940-1943
−
|
  
 
|Soviet Union
  
|Soviet Union
  +
|VH, later IR
−
|
  
 
|Captured
  
|Captured
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Polikarpov I-153]]
  
|[[Polikarpov I-153]]
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
−
|
 +
|11
  +
|1940-1945
−
|
  
 
|Soviet Union
  
|Soviet Union
  +
|VH, later IT
−
|
  
 
|Captured
  
|Captured
 
|-
  
|-
Line 663: Line 913:
 
|1942-1950
  
|1942-1950
 
|Soviet Union
  
|Soviet Union
−
|
 +
|VU
 
|Captured
  
|Captured
 
|-
  
|-
Line 696: Line 946:
 
|Sweden
  
|Sweden
 
|SH
  
|SH
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Saab Draken|Saab 35 Draken]]
  +
|Fighter
  +
|36
  +
|1972-2000
  +
|Sweden
  +
|DK
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
Line 705: Line 963:
 
|SF
  
|SF
 
|
  
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Shavrov Sh-2]]
  +
|Liaison
  +
|2
  +
|1942-1944
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|VV
  +
|Captured
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[SIAI S.9]]
  
|[[SIAI S.9]]
Line 724: Line 990:
 
|[[SPAD S.VII]]
  
|[[SPAD S.VII]]
 
|
  
|
−
|
 +
|1
  +
|1919-1923
−
|
  
 
|France
  
|France
 
|
  
|
Line 732: Line 998:
 
|[[Stetinin M-5]]
  
|[[Stetinin M-5]]
 
|
  
|
−
|
 +
|1
  +
|1918-1920
−
|
  
 
|Russia
  
|Russia
 
|
  
|
Line 757: Line 1,023:
 
|
  
|
 
|6
  
|6
  +
|1918-1923
−
|
  
 
|Russia
  
|Russia
 
|
  
|
Line 771: Line 1,037:
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Thulin Typ D]]
  
|[[Thulin Typ D]]
  +
|Multi-purpose
−
|
  
−
|
 +
|2
  +
|1918
−
|
  
 
|Sweden
  
|Sweden
 
|
  
|
Line 791: Line 1,057:
 
|
  
|
 
|Soviet Union
  
|Soviet Union
  +
|VP, later SB
−
|SB (initially VP)
  
 
|Captured
  
|Captured
  +
|-
  +
|[[Valmet L-80 TP Turbo-Vinha]]
  +
|Liaison
  +
|1
  +
|1985
  +
|Finland
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Valmet L-90 TP Redigo]]
  +
|Liaison
  +
|10
  +
|1992-2013
  +
|Finland
  +
|RG
  +
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Valmet Tuuli III]]
  
|[[Valmet Tuuli III]]
Line 813: Line 1,095:
 
|Fighter
  
|Fighter
 
|1
  
|1
  +
|1944-1945
−
|
  
 
|Finland
  
|Finland
 
|HM
  
|HM
Line 889: Line 1,171:
 
|VI
  
|VI
 
|
  
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Westland Lysander]]
  +
|Liaison
  +
|12
  +
|1940-1946
  +
|UK
  +
|LY
  +
|
  +
|}
  +
  +
=== Helicopters ===
  +
{| class="article-table"
  +
!Aircraft
  +
!Role
  +
!Number
  +
!In service
  +
!Country of origin
  +
!Code letters
  +
|-
  +
|[[Bell 206 JetRanger|Agusta-Bell 206]]
  +
|Transport
  +
|1
  +
|1968-1979
  +
|USA
  +
|HB
  +
|-
  +
|[[Mil Mi-4]]
  +
|Transport
  +
|3
  +
|1962-1979
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|HR
  +
|-
  +
|[[Mil Mi-8]]
  +
|Transport
  +
|9
  +
|1973-2010
  +
|Soviet Union
  +
|HS
  +
|-
  +
|[[Mil Mi-1|SM-1]]
  +
|Multi-purpose
  +
|4
  +
|1961-1967
  +
|Poland/Soviet Union
  +
|HK
  +
|-
  +
|[[Sud-Aviation Alouette]]
  +
|Multi-purpose
  +
|2
  +
|965-1975
  +
|France
  +
|HA
 
|}
  
|}
 
[[Category:Air Forces]]
  
[[Category:Air Forces]]

Revision as of 19:09, 9 December 2019

The Finnish Air Force (FAF, FiAF) (Ilmavoimat, "Air Forces"), is the air force of Finland. It was founded in 1918 and known as Ilmailuvoimat until 1938.

History

World War I and interwar era

The Finnish Air Force was founded during the Finnish Civil War in early 1918 as the flying branch of the White Guards, although the opposing Red Guards also had their own flying corps. It bought its first aircraft, a N.A.B. Albatros on 20 February 1918, but a Thulin Typ D donated by Swedish count Eric von Rosen entered service before it. The Thulin was painted with von Rosen's personal symbols of luck, blue swastikas, which became the FAF's first insignia. Initially the FAF relied mainly on captured Russian aircraft and then on German aircraft, until Germany was defeated in World War I. Later the FAF began to briefly favour French aircraft until ceasing to prefer any particular country in the mid-1920s. Attempts to become self-reliant by developing indigenous aircraft like the IVL Haukka were not successful.

As the threat of a new World War grew in the late 1930s, the FAF high command argued over whether they should build a strictly defensive air force that relies almost entirely on fighters, or buy Bristol Blenheim bombers that could provide the FAF tactical offensive capabilities. The latter suggestion won, and the FAF ordered 18 Blenheim Mk Is while the Valtion lentokonetehdas (State Aircraft Factory, VL) built 15 more under licence. This decision limited the amount of fighters the FAF could buy, and has been retrospectively viewed as a mistake.

World War II

On 30 November 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland in what became known as the Winter War. The Soviet AF had the advantage in both the number and performance of its aircraft, but the FAF pilot training was considered to be superior. The FAF's only decent fighters were 40 Fokker D.XXIs, although even they were obsolescent. Still, the FAF managed to hold back the Soviet aerial offensives quite well, claiming 218 kills for the loss of 62 aircraft.

In June 1941 the FAF was much better equipped, as Finland invaded Soviet Union together with Germany. New Brewster B-239 fighters secured air superiority, claiming to achieve a kill ratio of 32 to 1. In 1943 the FAF bought new Messerschmitt Bf 109Gs from Germany. However, from 1943 the Soviet AF again achieved an advantage in aircraft quality, as new aircraft deliveries from Germany had stalled. In summer 1944 the Soviets launched a major offensive and smashed through the Finnish lines. The FAF fought with at a disadvantage, but helped to prevent the Finnish Army from collapsing completely. The war ended in September 1944, when Finland was forced to accept peace.

The blue swatika insignia was replaced with a roundel in 1945 due to political reasons, even though the FAF swastika had nothing to do with the Nazi swastika. The 1947 Paris Peace Treaty limited the FAF's size to 60 combat aircraft, and prohibited it from owning bombers with an internal bomb bay, stripping the FAF of its offensive capabilities.

Cold War

During the late 1940s and early 1950s the FAF was stuck with its old Bf 109s that couldn't realistically fight jet fighters like the F-86 Sabre or the MiG-15. Finland declared political neutrality, which made both NATO and the Soviet Union reluctant to sell advanced combat aircraft to it. Furthermore, Finland was still relatively poor, and recovering from World War II, so the FAF could only buy cheap, obsolescent aircraft like the de Havilland Vampire. Over time Finland was more and more often viewed as a Soviet satellite state in the West. In the 1960s the Soviet Union wished Finland to act as a buffer against a possible NATO attack, and agreed to sell new MiG-21F fighters in 1963. They became the FAF's first potent combat aircraft since the Bf 109Gs in 1943. They were supplanted by second-hand Saab J35 Drakens from early 1970s onwards.

The 1980s were a decade of generous spending, as the FAF bought 50 BAe Hawk Mk51s from UK and 30 Valmet Vinkas. However, the end of the Cold War in early 1990s and a great depression limited the spending, but the FAF nevertheless ordered 64 McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornets to replace the MiG-21Bis and Saab Draken.

Current inventory

Fixed-wing aircraft

Aircraft Role Number In service Country of origin Code letters
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet Fighter 62 1995- USA HN
BAe Hawk Fighter trainer 75 1980- UK HW
Valmet L-70 Vinka Basic trainer 1980- Finland VN
Grob G115E Basic trainer 28 2016- Germany GO
Pilatus PC-12 Light transport 6 2010- Switzerland PI
CASA C-295M Medium transport 3 2008- Spain CC
Gates Learjet 35 Transport 3 1982- USA LJ

Helicopters

The helicopters officially belong to the Ground Forces.

Aircraft Role Number In service Country of origin Code letters
NHIndustries NH90 Transport 20 2008- EU NH
Hughes MD500 Multipurpose 7 1975- USA HH

Retired inventory

Fixed-wing aircraft

Aircraft Role Number In service Country of origin Code letters Notes
Adaridi AD 3 1 1924-1931 Finland
Aero A-11 Reconnaissance 8 1927-1939 Czechoslovakia AE
Aero A-32 Bomber 16 1929-1944 Czechoslovakia AEj
Airspeed Envoy Transport 1 1942-1943 UK EV
Avro 504K Trainer 1 1926-1930 UK AV
Avro Anson Bomber trainer 3 1936-1947 UK AN
Beechcraft B17 Liaison 1 1940-1945
Beriev MBR-2 Maritime Patrol 5 1941-1942 Soviet Union VV Captured
Blackburn Ripon Maritime patrol UK RI
Brequet 14A.2 Reconnaissance 30 1919-1927 France BR
Bristol Blenheim Bomber 98 1937-1958 UK BL
Brewster B-239 Fighter 44 1940-1948 USA BW
Bristol Bulldog Fighter UK BU
Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander Transport 1 1974-1975 UK BN
Caudron C.59 Multi-purpose 3 1923-1931 France CA
Caudron C.60 Basic trainer 64 1923-1936 France CA
Caudron C.714 Light fighter 6 1940 France CA
Caudron G.3 19 1920-1924 France
Caudron G.4 France
Cessna 402B Businessliner Transport 2 1975-1984 USA CB
Cessna C-37 Trainer 1 1939-1944 USA CE
Curtiss Hawk 75 Fighter 44 1941-1948 USA CU
Curtiss P-40M Fighter 1 1944-1945 USA KH
de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Light transport 3 1958-1971 Canada BV
de Havilland DH.60 Moth Trainer 23 1929-1944 UK MO
de Havilland Tiger Moth Liaison 1 1940-1944 UK MO Interned
de Havilland Vampire Fighter 6 1954-1965 UK VA
de Havilland Vampire Trainer Fighter trainer 9 1955-1965 UK VT
Desoutter II Liaison 1 1941-1944 UK DS
DFW C.V Germany
Dornier Do 17Z Bomber 15 1942-1948 Germany DN
Dornier Do 22 Anti-submarine 4 1941-1945 Germany DR
Douglas C-47 Transport 9 1960-1984 USA DO
Douglas DC-2 Transport 3 1940-1956 USA DC, later DO
Fairchild 24 Liaison 1 1939-1941 USA FD
Fiat G.50 Fighter 35 1940-1946 Italy FA
Fieseler Fi 156 Storch Liaison 2 1939-1960 Germany ST
Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz Basic trainer 35 1940-1960 Germany SZ
Focke-Wulf Fw 58 Weihe Liaison 1 1943-1944 Germany FH
Fokker C.V Reconnaissance 19 1927-1945 Netherlands FO
Fokker C.X Fighter Netherlands FK
Fokker D.VII Fighter 3 1919-1924 Germany
Fokker D.X Fighter 1 1923-1926 Netherlands
Fokker D.XXI Fighter 97 1937-1948 Netherlands FR
Fokker F.27 Transport 3 1980-2015 Netherlands FF
Fokker F.VII Transport 1 1941-1943 Netherlands FE
Fokker F.VIII Transport 1 1940-1941 Netherlands
Folland Gnat Light fighter 13 1958-1974 UK GN
Fouga CM.170 Magister Fighter trainer 80 1958-1988 France FM
Friedrichshafen FF 33 Germany
Friedrichshafen FF 41 Germany
Friedrichshafen FF 49 Germany
Georges Levy G.L. 40 France
Gloster Gamecock Fighter 17 1927-1944 UK GA
Gloster Gauntlet Fighter trainer 24 1940-1945 UK GT
Gloster Gladiator Fighter 30 1940-1945 UK GL
Gourdou-Leseurre GL-21/22 Fighter France
Hanriot H.232 Trainer 3 1941-1945 France HT
Hawker Hurricane Fighter 13 1940-1944 UK HU, later HC One captured
Heinkel He 115 Maritime patrol 3 1940-1944 Germany HE
Høver M.F. 11 Maritime reconnaissance 3 1940-1944 Norway NK
Ilyushin DB-3 Bomber Soviet Union Captured
Ilyushin Il-4 Bomber 4 Soviet Union DF Captured
Ilyushin Il-28 Target tug Soviet Union NH
IVL A.22 Hansa Maritime patrol 1922-1936 Finland IL
IVL C.24 Fighter 1 Finland
IVL C.25 Fighter 1 Finland
IVL Haukka Fighter 3 Finland HA
IVL K.1 Kurki 1 1927 Finland
Junkers A.35 Germany
Junkers A50 Junior Liaison 2 1936-1940 Germany SK
Junkers F 13 Multi-purpose 3 1939-1947 Germany JU
Junkers Ju 88 Bomber 24 1943-1948 Germany JK
Junkers K 43 & W43 Bomber, transport 12 1930-1952 Germany JU
Koolhoven F.K. 31 Reconnaissance 12 1926-1932 Netherlands KO
Koolhoven F.K.52 Multi-purpose 2 1940-1943 Netherlands KO
Letov Š-218 Basic trainer 39 1930-1945 Czechoslovakia SM
LVG C.VI Germany
Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard Fighter 15 1923-1939 UK MA
Messerschmitt Bf 109G Fighter 159 1943-1954 Germany MT
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI Fighter trainer 4 1962-1977 Soviet Union MU
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21Bis Fighter 20 1978-1998 Soviet Union MB, later MG
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F Fighter 22 1963-1986 Soviet Union MG
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21U, US, UM Fighter trainer 6 1965-1998 Soviet Union MK
Morane-Saulnier MS.50 France MS
Morane-Saulnier MS 406 Fighter 87 1940-1948 France MS
N.A.B. Albatros typ 9 / typ 17
Nieuport 10 France
Nieuport 17 France
Nieuport 21 France
Pervical Pembroke Aerial photography 2 1965-1968 UK PR
Petlyakov PE-2 Reconnaissance 7 1941-1946 Soviet Union PE
Petlyakov Pe-3 Reconnaissance 1 1943-1944 Soviet Union PE Captured
Piper PA-28R Cherokee Arrow Communications 10 1974-2004 USA PA
Piper PA-31 Navajo Transport 1 1974-1975 USA PN
Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain Transport 6 1983-2011 USA PC
Polikarpov I-15bis Fighter 5 1940-1945 Soviet Union VH, later IH Captured
Polikarpov I-16 Fighter 2 1940-1943 Soviet Union VH, later IR Captured
Polikarpov I-153 Fighter 11 1940-1945 Soviet Union VH, later IT Captured
Polikarpov U-2 Liaison 4 1942-1950 Soviet Union VU Captured
Potez 25 France
Rumpler 6B Germany
Rumpler C.VIII Germany
Saab 17 Target tug 2 1959-1961 Sweden SH
Saab 35 Draken Fighter 36 1972-2000 Sweden DK
Saab 91 Safir Basic trainer 36 1958-1982 Sweden SF
Shavrov Sh-2 Liaison 2 1942-1944 Soviet Union VV Captured
SIAI S.9 Italy
SPAD S.34 France
SPAD S.VII 1 1919-1923 France
Stetinin M-5 1 1918-1920 Russia
Stetinin M-9 Russia
Stetinin M-15 Russia
Stetinin M-16 6 1918-1923 Russia
Svenska Aero Jaktfalken Trainer Sweden JF
Thulin Typ D Multi-purpose 2 1918 Sweden
Thulin LA Sweden
Tupolev SB-2 Anti-submarine Soviet Union VP, later SB Captured
Valmet L-80 TP Turbo-Vinha Liaison 1 1985 Finland
Valmet L-90 TP Redigo Liaison 10 1992-2013 Finland RG
Valmet Tuuli III Trainer 1 1957-1959 Finland TL
Valmet Vihuri Fighter trainer 51 1951-1959 Finland VH
VL Humu Fighter 1 1944-1945 Finland HM
VL Kotka Maritime patrol 6 1931-1944 Finland KA
VL Myrsky Fighter / Reconnaissance 51 1944-1947 Finland MY
VL Paarma Basic trainer 1 Finland PA
VL Pyry Fighter trainer 1939-1962 Finland PY
VL Pyörremyrsky Fighter 1 1945-1947 Finland PM
VL Sääski Multi-purpose 1928-1943 Finland SÄ
VL Tuisku Multi-purpose 31 1935-1950 Finland TU
VL Tuuli II Trainer 1 Finland
VL Viima Trainer 1936-1962 Finland VI
Westland Lysander Liaison 12 1940-1946 UK LY

Helicopters

Aircraft Role Number In service Country of origin Code letters
Agusta-Bell 206 Transport 1 1968-1979 USA HB
Mil Mi-4 Transport 3 1962-1979 Soviet Union HR
Mil Mi-8 Transport 9 1973-2010 Soviet Union HS
SM-1 Multi-purpose 4 1961-1967 Poland/Soviet Union HK
Sud-Aviation Alouette Multi-purpose 2 965-1975 France HA
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