Watch: Finnish Air Force uses motorway as runway

The Finnish Air Force, or Ilmavoimat, has replaced runways with motorways for Exercise Kesäbaana 23 as it practises performing highway operations. 

The exercise, which involved pilots and aircraft from all over Finland, was conducted in Tikkakoski, north of Jyväskylä, while the road was closed for pavement work. 

The highway has been specially designed with a dedicated reserve runway sandwiched between its four lanes. 

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All Finnish pilots undergo training for operations at road bases so that, if needed, the aircraft fleet can be quickly deployed all over Finland. 

Earlier in the exercise, the Ilmavoimat posted a video showing a pilot's-eye view from an Airbus C295, as it took off from the newly constructed special highway.

Finland is the latest country to join the Nato defence alliance, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The country's armed forces have frequently worked with Nato member states on international missions and on exercises such as Exercise Arrow 22.