Kaikkonen to visit US on 7-9 March

Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen will make a working visit to the United States on 7-9 March, said the Ministry of Defence in a press release on Friday.

In Washington, D.C., Kaikkonen will meet his United States counterpart Lloyd Austin and other representatives of the administration.

The discussions will focus on the relations between the defence administrations of the two countries, Ukraine and the security situation in Europe.

Kaikkonen will also meet representatives of the United States Congress in Washington.

During his visit, Kaikkonen will also visit Lockheed Martin's plant in Fort Worth, Texas. Lockheed Martin will deliver the F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighters to Finland.

From Texas, Kaikkonen will continue to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where he will familiarise himself with the F-35 fleet, training and maintenance.

The working visit is pre-planned as of early February, the press release added.