In Finnish skies, this year's biggest Air Force exercise

The exercise includes more than 50 aircrafts and about 2,600 personnel and is the biggest tactical drills of the Finnish Air Force in 2016. The objective is to train the components of Finland’s air defense system in complex operational scenarios, the country’s Air Force informs.

Also six Swedish Gripen fighter jets are taking part in the training. The exercise area includes major parts of central-western Finland, as well as border areas on the Swedish side. 

Among the Finnish aircrafts will be about 30 Hornet multirole fighters, 15 Hawk jet trainers and a number of light and medium transports. Support will be provided by NH90 helicopters from the Army Aviation.

Key bases for the Ruska 2016 are at Tikkakoski and Rovaniemi, as well as to the airports of Oulunsalo, Kajaani, Kuusamo, and Kokkola-Pietarsaari.

The drills, which started on 10th October, come just four days after the Finnish Air Force reported two cases of Russian airspace violations over the Gulf of Finland.