OVERVIEW: The Fokker F.27-400 Friendship operated by Finland is a twin-turboprop military utility and reconnaissance aircraft adapted from the civilian Fokker F.27 airliner. Entering service in 1991, it was used by the Finnish Air Force for signals intelligence (SIGINT) and surveillance roles.

DETAILS: The F.27-400 is a stretched variant of the Fokker F.27 Friendship regional transport aircraft, originally designed in the Netherlands and later adapted for various military missions. The Finnish Air Force acquired one aircraft in the early 1990s and modified it for special missions, reportedly including airborne electronic surveillance and intelligence collection. It was powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart Mk 528 turboprop engines, with a cruising speed of around Mach 0.38 (approx. 460 km/h) and a range of approximately 2,400 km. The airframe featured high-mounted wings and short-field performance, making it suitable for operations from smaller regional airfields.

The Finnish configuration of the F.27-400 included modifications for intelligence gathering missions. It was externally distinguishable by various antennas and fairings consistent with SIGINT/ELINT adaptations. The aircraft was used primarily for border surveillance, monitoring of electromagnetic activity, and national airspace defense support.

TYPE: SIGINT Reconnaissance Aircraft

FUNCTION: Used for airborne interception and monitoring of electromagnetic emissions to support national defense surveillance and situational awareness. It provided Finland with a peacetime intelligence asset during the post–Cold War era.

NOTE:
IOC: 1958 (F.27 base model), 1991 (Finnish SIGINT-configured F.27-400)
Manufacturer: Fokker Aircraft (Netherlands)
Operators: Finland
Conflict used in: None

SOURCE:
Finnish Air Force: https://ilmavoimat.fi ; Fokker Heritage Center: https://www.fokker-history.com ; FlightGlobal World Air Forces ; Jane’s Aircraft Recognition Guide: https://www.janes.com