Finnish defence company Patria has formalized an agreement with US engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to carry out final assembly of F135 engines in Finland for the country’s future F-35 fighter fleet. The arrangement assigns Patria responsibility for initial engine assembly, with a longer-term role in maintenance and repair support.
F135 engine production has already begun and is scheduled to run until 2030 at Patria’s new assembly and maintenance facility in Linnavuori, located in the city of Nokia. The deal expands on a framework agreement signed in 2024 covering maintenance, repair, overhaul, and upgrade services.
The Finnish Air Force is set to receive its first F-35A Lightning II at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi by the end of 2026, following the aircraft’s rollout at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility in December 2025. While only one jet has been publicly rolled out so far, 16 aircraft are currently on the production line. The first eight will initially operate from Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas to support pilot and personnel training.
These aircraft form part of Finland’s 2021 foreign military sales deal with Washington to acquire up to 64 F-35 fighters for nearly $10 billion, marking the country’s largest defence procurement to date and paving the way for the retirement of the F/A-18 Hornet fleet.
