Patria and Lockheed Martin have signed the first agreement within Finland´s F-35 direct industrial participation programme

Patria and Lockheed Martin have signed the first Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for direct work within Finland´s F-35 industrial participation programme. This MoA covers the contractual framework for F-35 forward fuselage assemblies in Finland by Patria. 

“This agreement between Patria and Lockheed Martin on F-35 Forward Fuselage Assembly is a significant milestone for Finland´s F-35 programme and Patria. The large-scale assembly of 400 forward fuselages will take Patria´s industrial capabilities to the next level. The initial co-operation with Lockheed Martin has worked extremely well, which has built a great basis also for the future collaboration,” says Petri Hepola, Chief Program Officer, F-35 at Patria.

The F-35's industrial participation solution in Finland creates strong competences via security of supply and is also significant for national economy. The F-35 programme will also open Patria an access to the global F-35 supply chain.

“The F-35 will provide Finnish industry with unique capabilities that leverage 5th generation engineering and manufacturing for 21st century security needs,” says Mike Shoemaker, vice president of F-35 customer programs at Lockheed Martin. “We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with Patria and the innovative Finnish industrial base to deliver economic value in Finland and drive affordability for the F-35 programme.”

The main industrial cooperation projects for Patria include this large-scale assembly of F-35 front fuselages in Finland also for international users and further production of structural components. In addition, Patria will establish production projects with Pratt & Whitney for the F135 engines powering the Finnish F-35s.

Media enquiries and further information:

Sirje Ahvenlampi-Hyvönen, Vice President, Group Communications, Patria, tel. +358 50 557 3822, [email protected] 

Petri Hepola, Chief Program Officer, F-35, Patria, tel. +358 40 869 3760, [email protected]
 
Patria is an international provider of defence, security and aviation life cycle support services, technology solutions and pilot training. Patria provides its aerospace and military customers with equipment availability, continuous performance development as well as selected intelligence, surveillance and management system products and services. Patria’s mission is to give its customers confidence in all conditions, and the vision is to be the #1 partner for critical operations on land, sea and air. Patria has several locations including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia and Spain. Patria employs over 3,000 professionals. Patria is owned by the State of Finland (50.1%) and Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (49.9%). Patria owns 50% of Nammo, and together these three companies form a leading Nordic defence partnership. 
www.patriagroup.com