Finland has entered a new phase of its F-35 programme, with defense company Patria officially launching domestic production of key aircraft components, including forward fuselages, landing gear doors, and assemblies for the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, Defense News reported.
The milestone marks the transition from years of industrial preparation to full-scale manufacturing, supporting both Finland’s future fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters and the aircraft manufacturer’s global production network.
Parts manufactured at Patria’s facilities are transported to Lockheed Martin’s final assembly plant in Fort Worth, Texas, where they are integrated into completed F-35 aircraft. The company has also become the first industrial partner outside the United States to manufacture forward fuselages for the stealth fighter.
Production Supports Finland’s F-35 Fleet
The manufacturing programme forms a key part of Finland’s industrial cooperation agreement linked to its purchase of 64 F-35A fighters, which will gradually replace the Finnish Air Force’s ageing Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fleet.
The first Finnish-operated F-35s are scheduled to arrive at Lapland Air Command in Rovaniemi toward the end of 2026.
Production of forward fuselages began in March at Patria’s upgraded Halli facility in Jämsä, while manufacturing of landing gear doors commenced later during spring 2026. Both components are destined not only for Finland’s aircraft but also for Lockheed Martin’s wider international supply chain.
Patria Executive Vice President and F-35 Programme Chief Petri Hepola said the production launch represents a major step in defence cooperation between Finland and the United States after nearly seven years of programme development.
Long-Term Manufacturing Commitment
Patria’s responsibilities extend beyond Finland’s domestic aircraft order. Under a long-term framework agreement with Lockheed Martin, the company will manufacture 400 forward fuselage assemblies and landing gear door sets between 2026 and 2042.
The agreement positions Finland as an important contributor to the global F-35 production programme rather than solely a customer operating the aircraft.
The manufacturing work follows an extensive investment period in facilities, workforce training and technology transfers received from Lockheed Martin to meet the programme’s demanding production standards.
F135 Engine Assembly Begins
Alongside airframe production, Patria has established dedicated facilities at Linnavuori in Nokia to assemble Pratt & Whitney F135 engines that power Finland’s future F-35 fleet.
The production site was developed to satisfy strict security and export-control requirements established by the United States Government and Pratt & Whitney. Patria expects to complete its first engines during 2026.
Once aircraft deliveries are underway, the same facility will transition into a long-term maintenance, repair and overhaul centre responsible for supporting Finland’s F135 engines throughout the operational life of the fleet, which is expected to extend into the 2060s.
Building Advanced Defence Expertise
Patria enters the F-35 era with more than three decades of experience supporting Finland’s Hornet fleet, including engine assembly, structural repairs, modernization work and lifecycle maintenance.
According to Hepola, the F-35 programme has introduced entirely new manufacturing techniques, particularly for stealth-sensitive structures, requiring close technical collaboration with Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney.
The industrial cooperation agreement between Finland’s Ministry of Defence, Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney also enables the transfer of specialised expertise while remaining subject to strict U.S. export-control regulations.
Patria believes the programme is laying the foundation for a nationally significant F-35 expertise hub in Finland. Around 120 employees currently support the programme, with staffing expected to exceed 200 as production increases and long-term sustainment activities expand over the coming years.