US clears sale of Growlers to Finland

The US defense department has given green light to Boeing and the US Navy to offer the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to Finland.

Previously only Australia had been authorized to purchase the airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft.

Boeing and the Navy have offered the Growler and F/A-18 Super Hornet in a response to query issued by the Finnish Ministry of Defense as part of their HX fighter program procurement.

In addition to the US, Finland requested bids from the United Kingdom, France and Sweden as it looks to decide by 2021 which aircraft should replace its F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet.

“All strike fighter aircraft rely on Growler escort to increase survivability during high-threat missions,” said Dan Gillian, Boeing vice president, F/A-18 and EA-18G programs. “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.”

An F/A-18 variant, the Growler is the world’s most advanced AEA platform and the only one in production today. It’s capable of disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems including radar and communication systems.

In addition to the US Navy, the Growler is flown by the Royal Australian Air Force.