19 February, 2019: The US Department of Defense has given the approval to Boeing and the US Navy to release the EA-18G Growler to Finland.
The Growler and F/A-18 Super Hornet have been offered by Boeing and the Navy in a response to a query issued by the Finnish Ministry of Defence as part of their HX fighter programme procurement.
Previously only Australia had been authorised to purchase the airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft.
The Growler, an F/A-18 variant is the world’s most advanced AEA platform and the only one in production today. Its capabilities include disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems including radar and communication systems.
Previously only Australia had the authorisation to purchase the airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft.
“All strike fighter aircraft rely on Growler escort to increase survivability during high-threat missions,” said Dan Gillian, vice president, Boeing, F/A-18 and EA-18G programmes. “The combination of the Super Hornet Block III and Growler would provide Finland with superior technological capability particularly suited to Finland’s HX mission requirements.”