Five Finnish fighter jets began taking part in Nato air exercises in the Netherlands on Monday, according to a press release from the Air Force.
The Ramstein Flag 25 exercise is based out of Leeuwarden Air Base and set to continue until 11 April. It will involve the participation of 15 Nato countries and more than 90 aircraft. Air bases in the UK and Denmark are also being utilised.
Most of the drills will take place over the North Sea.
The aim of the exercise "is to train Allied air forces' rapid response as part of Nato's collective defence in Article 5 scenarios", the press release said.
"Participation in the Ramstein Flag 25 exercise enables a wide variety of mission types to be planned and executed together with Allies. Thanks to the different fighter jets and sensors of the Allies, we can optimize the performance of our F/A-18 Hornets," Major General Timo Herranen said in the release.
About three years ago, Finland signed an agreement to purchase 64 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighter jets. The new planes are to replace Finland's Hornet fleet.
"Finland will soon join the growing European F-35 community, so the development of the integration of 4th and 5th generation fighter jets is important for us. Deploying to the home base of the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II jets will support close cooperation," Herranen continued.
Apart from fighter jets, the Ramstein Flag 25 exercise will also utilise tankers, surveillance aircraft, special forces and maritime units.
