Inauguration of Air Force Academy’s new support area in Tikkakoski

Defence Properties Finland, which is responsible for the facilities of the Finnish Defence Administration, has built a new air operations support area for the Air Force Academy. The reform will improve the Air Force Academy’s training and flight operations, and it is part of the wider development of the Air Force’s base in Tikkakoski. The support area was inaugurated on Friday, 19 January.
The project began in 2022 and saw the construction of a connection to the airport runway from National Road E4 and an aircraft taxiway around Kennälä. In addition, aircraft stands were built in the area to serve training and maintenance purposes. The project also included other infrastructure work, such as the construction of an electricity network, stormwater management systems and new fences. Asphalting was carried out over an area of 65,000 m2.
“The support area strengthens the Air Force’s mobile combat method, which involves an ability to disperse aircraft to operate in different parts of Finland. The new support area will improve the combat capability of the Tikkakoski airbase and provide more places for aircraft maintenance and air policing. The taxiway connection to the E4 enables aircraft to quickly transfer from the airbase to the runway strip in the centre of the E4,” says Colonel Vesa Mäntylä, Commandant of the Air Force Academy.
The construction project cost €14.5 million and the lead contractor was Oteran Oy. The project also had a local impact on employment.
Defence Properties Finland is also preparing other investments in response to Finnish Air Force needs in Tikkakoski, with new office and training facilities and a new guard building among other things planned for the Air Force Academy.
“Due to the changed security situation, government construction investments are particularly targeted at the premises of security operators. Last year, Defence Properties Finland invested approximately €155 million in Finnish Defence Forces projects. This year, the amount will increase by as much as 60%,” predicts Matias Warsta, CEO of Defence Properties Finland.
Finnish Defence Properties’ largest construction projects over the next few years will include the construction of the infrastructure for the Air Force’s F-35 fighters and the Finnish Navy’s squadron project, the modernisation programme of Finnish Defence Forces’ shelters, and the renovation of barracks across Finland.
Since the beginning of 2021, Defence Properties Finland has been responsible for the properties of the Finnish Defence Administration properties, their maintenance and construction management, and the organisation of real estate services in all security situations. The unincorporated state enterprise is part of Senate Group.
Photo: Matias Warsta, CEO of Defence Properties Finland, and Colonel Vesa Mäntylä, Commandant of the Air Force Academy, cut a ribbon at the inauguration of the support area. The area will be used for the first time during week 9 in the Finnish Air Force’s Hanki exercise.