Patria has completed assembly of the initial F135 propulsion system that will power the Finnish Air Force’s F-35 Lightning II, marking a key milestone in the military’s fifth-generation combat aircraft program.
Under a partnership with F135 developer Pratt & Whitney, Patria handles the initial assembly of the engines at its Linnavuori factory in Nokia, supporting the incoming fleet of 64 F-35A aircraft.
Production at the Linnavuori site will continue through the end of the decade, after which the facility will transition to provide maintenance, repair, overhaul, and upgrade services as the jets enter service.
Work is expected to support approximately 50 direct jobs at Patria by 2030.
“The completion of the first F135 engine is a significant milestone and a strong start for F135 engine assembly in Finland,” said Petri Hepola, chief program officer for the F-35 at Patria.
“It demonstrates the successful cooperation between Patria, Pratt & Whitney, the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Ministry of Defence, strengthening Finland’s security of supply.”
Delivery This Year
Helsinki’s F-35 program was initiated through a 2022 foreign military sale with American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, supporting a major effort to replace the nation’s aging F/A-18 Hornet fleet.
In 2025, Washington launched the Nordic country’s F-35A variant aircraft at Fort Worth in Texas.
Up to 64 jets were ordered under the contract, with the first airframe scheduled to be shipped to the Finnish Air Force’s Lapland Air Wing in late 2026.
“Assembly of Finland’s first F135 engine marks an important milestone in strengthening the global F-35 sustainment network,” said Jill Albertelli, President of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines.
“This capability will support the readiness and resilience of Finland’s F-35 fleet while strengthening the collective defence of Finland and its NATO allies.”
