The closest competitor in this race was probably the SAAB Gripen, which would win out on several categories (Cost per flight hour, maintenance cost and complexity, ground turnaround time, more capable AA missiles until at least 2027, more local production). So while the decision to go with F-35 of several "almost" Gripen buyers is understandable, it was by no means a walk over. Few buyers of F-35 will have much local manufacturing and technology transfer, for example. It's basically buying off Lockheed's shelf, paying US wages rather than domestic ones. The sticker price will look similar but mean different things.
The deal does mention "opportunities for the Finnish defense industry related to the direct manufacture and maintenance of the F-35..." which I'm not sure exactly what it is. I thought the US and Lockheed were extremely reluctant to this kind of transfer.
The deal does mention "opportunities for the Finnish defense industry related to the direct manufacture and maintenance of the F-35..." which I'm not sure exactly what it is. I thought the US and Lockheed were extremely reluctant to this kind of transfer.