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Finland Hosts Protective Fence 26 Exercise

November 4, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Finland's Protective Fence 26 exercise involves 20 F/A-18 Hornets.
Allied participation includes F-35As, Rafales, and Gripens.
Exercise runs from November 19 to 27, 2026.
Highway strip operations will be conducted during the exercise.

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Strategic Implications

Finland's dispersed-basing doctrine may signal a shift in NATO air force strategies, as the concept of Agile Combat Employment gains traction. The exercise could indicate growing interest in mobile, dispersed operations among NATO allies, which may influence future air force procurement and training decisions.

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What Happened

NATO Allies Join Dispersal Drill With F-35As, Rafales, And Gripens

The Finnish Air Force is conducting its main exercise of the year, Protective Fence 26, which involves dispersing 20 F/A-18 Hornet fighters across military air bases, civilian airports, and a highway strip. The exercise, running from November 19 to 27, 2026, will also feature participation from allied nations, including the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force, French Air and Space Force, and Swedish Air Force. According to the Finnish Air Force, the exercise will serve as the final training event for conscripts completing their military service in December 2026. The exercise was first reported by AeroTime.

Source | Originally Published: November 4, 2026

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