Minister of Defence Kaikkonen to visit the United States

In Washington, D.C., Minister Kaikkonen will meet the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and other representatives of the administration. The discussions will focus on bilateral defence relations, Ukraine and the security situation in Europe. Minister Kaikkonen will also meet representatives of the United States Congress in Washington.

During his working visit to the United States, Minister Kaikkonen will also visit Lockheed Martin's plant in Fort Worth, Texas. Lockheed Martin will deliver the F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighters to Finland.
From Texas, Minister Kaikkonen will continue to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where he will familiarise himself with the F-35 fleet, training and maintenance.

The working visit is pre-planned as of early February.

Inquiries: Tuomas Koskenniemi, Special Advisor, tel. +358 295 140 058, Miikka Pynnönen, Special Adviser to Minister of Defence Kaikkonen, tel. +358 295 140 117, and Kristian Vakkuri, Head of Communications, tel. + 358 295 140 123.