The F-18 has been fantastic plane for us. There was of course lots of political struggle as the purchase was pretty expensive, but in the end the Air Force got their will through: they got to choose the best plane and decided on F-18. Besides other capabilities, the two engines are a life saver. There's already been some cases where the plane would have been lost, when the other engine quit. But with other still running, they've got back ok.
The planes have, btw, some unique modifications and capabilities. We got newer radar system than the US F-18s and the planes are equipped with the Finnish real time Command and Control system. Somewhat similar system is, to my understanding, right now being tested by US AF and USAF personnel have visited FiAF studying our system and bringing knowledge back home. The system, shortly put, puts together a large picture of all aerial activity in Finnish airspace and as far as teh radars can see it, combines all radar, visual etc data together, and sends real time tactical data highly encrypted to all interceptors. The planes see complete picture of all activity without needign to turn their own radar on. Even if ground radars are shut down or destroyed the country wide survellance system still works, from Eyeball Mk. I and above, sends data and ground controllers always now what is where in the airspace. So an intercept can be made in complete radio silence, with the interceptor using the "Tietovuo" system data until they've got to visual distance, sliding behind target and either flashing radar to send radar missiles or launch the heat seekers. This Tietovuo system was originally developed in the 1960s, I believe, and it has been continually been developed and enhanced. Before F-18s it was used in the Drakens and MiGs as well.
