The MVX program carrying out the replacement of Finnish Border Guard’s aircraft will solve the issue with jet aircraft

The purpose of the MVX program is to replace the current Dornier 228 surveillance aircraft with new multi-purpose aircraft which correspond to the existing operating environment and tasks.

Nine of the 22 suppliers who responded to the request for information have been invited to a call for tenders. There are already plans for the aircraft type to be selected, and the Finnish Border Guard has decided that their future multi-purpose aircraft will be jets. 

- Based on data acquisition, demo flights and TRFI responses, it has been concluded that the jet aircraft described in the requests for information are more efficient, economical and safe solutions to the intended task profile and operating environment compared to propeller aircraft, says Head of the Program, Major Kenneth Rosenqvist.

When selecting the aircraft type, we will consider, for example, whether the same aircraft type is already used in similar special purposes. Additionally, the aircraft’s operating and maintenance costs must be reasonable, and their properties and spaces must correspond to their intended use and the requirements of the operating environment.
The following jet aircraft types may meet our performance requirements (the order is the same in the picture from top down):

• Bombardier Challenger 650
• Cessna Citation Longitude
• Dassault Falcon2000LXS
• Embraer Praetor 600
• Gulfstream G280

Suppliers participating in the call for tenders and their aircraft types:

• Dassault Aviation – Falcon 2000LXS
• Elbit Systems LTD – Embraer Praetor 600 or Bombardier Challenger 650
• ELTA Systems – Gulfstream G280
• Field Aerospace – Bombardier Challenger 650
• General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada – Bombardier Challenger 650
• L3Harris Technologies – Falcon 2000LXS
• PAL Aerospace Ltd. – Unknown
• Sierra Nevada Corporation – Bombardier Challenger 650
• ST Airborne Systems – Bombardier Challenger 650 or Cessna Citation Longitude

A press conference was organised today in Helsinki. Media also had the opportunity to meet the representatives of the aircraft suppliers. 

In the spring, 3 to 5 suppliers out of nine will be chosen based on their responses to the call for tenders. Negotiations will then be held with the chosen suppliers. There should be two negotiation rounds during next summer and autumn. Some suppliers may be eliminated between the rounds. The goal is to conclude a procurement contract with the chosen supplier by the end of 2023. The aircraft should be put into service in 2026 and 2027.

- We are well placed to move forward with the project towards negotiations. No fewer than nine prime supplier candidates on the market were selected, all of whom are both willing and able to deliver a modern multi-purpose aircraft to the Finnish Border Guard. I find it realistic that both aircraft will be operational in 2027. The performance of the Finnish Border Guard’s aircraft operations will increase significantly, and we will also be more prepared to respond to even challenging situations, says Project Manager, Brigadier General Jari Tolppanen.

MVX program

The purpose of the MVX program is to replace the current Dornier 228 surveillance aircraft with new multi-purpose aircraft which correspond to the existing operating environment and tasks. The data collection phase of the program has ended, and the program is progressing to the invitation to tender and negotiation phase.

The most important tasks of the surveillance planes are monitoring borders on land and at sea, supporting rescue efforts in maritime emergencies, identifying environmental emergencies at sea, and supporting their clean-up efforts. The design of the new planes also considers the growing need for monitoring the eastern border and the related upgrading of the monitoring of Finland's territorial integrity.

The Finnish Government decided on 5 April 2022 in the discussion on spending limits to allocate EUR 163 million for the procurement of multi-purpose aircraft to replace the Dornier 228 surveillance planes. 
 

Program web page: Purchase of Multipurpose Aircraft