Assembly and maintenance facility for F-35 fighter jet engines completed in Linnavuori, Nokia
The assembly and maintenance facility for F-35 fighter jet engines, located in Linnavuori, Nokia in Finland, has been completed on schedule. The facility, constructed by Defence Properties Finland, has been handed over to Patria. As the strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Forces, Patria is responsible for assembling, maintaining, and servicing of F135 engines.
The production facility will initially serve as assembly spaces for the engines and will later be converted for engine maintenance and overhaul. Finland’s first F-35A fighters will arrive at the Lapland Air Wing base in Rovaniemi at the end of 2026. Maintenance activities will continue in Nokia throughout the entire lifecycle of Finland’s F-35 fleet.
The facilities were constructed in accordance with the objectives and high security requirements of the F-35 programme and the engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, as part of the F-35 programme’s industrial cooperation.
“The purpose of the industrial participation led by the Finnish Ministry of Defence is to secure domestic security of supply and, at the same time, create employment. The production of F-35 components in Linnavuori is a significant and concrete step forward in the defence and security cooperation between Finland and the United States. It is also a recognition of Finnish expertise, which is trusted even in the most demanding projects. The F-35 will become the backbone of air defence for the entire democratic world, and with Linnavuori, an important centre of expertise will be established in Finland,” says the Minister of Defence for Finland Antti Häkkänen.
“The construction project successfully passed all security inspections by the United States. Strict security regulations must be observed throughout the supply chain, and both contractors and designers performed well in this demanding project. Thanks to close and effective cooperation between all parties, we were able to keep to the schedule precisely,” says Matias Warsta, CEO of Defence Properties Finland. Defence Properties Finland is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure and properties required for Finland’s F-35 fighters. In addition to the Linnavuori facilities, Defence Properties Finland is constructing infrastructure in all Air Force bases during this decade.
“Cooperation between the parties during the Linnavuori construction project has been smooth. It’s great to see the results of our joint efforts, which help to build new capabilities for F-35 programme. The production facilities in Linnavuori and the growing Patria team play a key role in this and in the upcoming F135 engine assembly and maintenance work,” says Petri Hepola, Patria’s Chief Program Officer, F-35.
Under the agreement signed with Pratt & Whitney in 2024, Patria will assemble F135 engines and components from 2025 to 2030, followed by a transition to F135 engine Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) operations, beginning in 2030. The direct employment impact of the agreement for Patria between 2025 and 2030 is estimated to be around 50 people.
In addition to the production facilities, new area infrastructure and transport routes were built in Linnavuori.
Media inquiries and further information:
Sirje Ahvenlampi-Hyvönen, Vice President, Group Communications, Patria, tel. +358 50 557 3822, [email protected]
Petri Hepola, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing and Chief Program Officer, F-35, Patria, tel. +358 40 869 3760, [email protected]
Patria is a modern and international defence and technology company with over 100 years of experience. Through our top-notch experts and Protected Mobility, Defence and Weapon Systems and Sustainment Solutions business areas, we ensure reliable operations for our customers and serve as a partner in critical functions on land, sea and air - when if is not an option. Patria has offices in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Latvia, and Japan.
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
