By Cristina Roca

The Finnish government has chosen Lockheed Martin Corp. to supply it with fighter jets and has ordered 64 of its F-35A Lightning II for about 8.38 billion euros ($9.46 billion), it said Friday.

Dassault Aviation SA, which had also bid for the contract, said Friday that it has noted Finland's decision to choose an American company.

"Once again, we notice and regret an American preference prevailing in Europe," the French aircraft manufacturer said.

Other candidates for the contract were the Eurofighter Typhoon--the jet made by a partnership between BAE Systems PLC, Leonardo SpA and Airbus SE--, Saab AB's Gripen and Boeing Co.'s F/A-18 Super Hornet.

The new jets will replace the Finnish air force's fleet of Horner jets, the Finnish government said.

Dassault Aviation said it continues to develop the operational capabilities of its Rafale jet along with its partners. It recently received an order for 80 jets from the United Arab Emirates in a deal worth more than EUR17 billion.

Write to Cristina Roca at cristina.roca@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 10, 2021 10:00 ET (15:00 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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