Finnish defence company, Patria, and Pratt & Whitney have signed an agreement for F135 engine production and sustainment projects in Finland by Patria.

The agreement covers the assembly of Pratt & Whitney F135 engines and components by Patria between 2025-2030, followed by a transition to F135 engine Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) operations, beginning in 2030.

The needed assembly and maintenance lines will be built in Linnavuori, Nokia in Finland. The direct employment impact of this agreement for Patria during this timeframe is estimated to be approximately 50.

“This unique agreement between Patria and Pratt & Whitney on establishing capabilities for the F135 engines is another important milestone for Finland’s F-35 programme and Patria,” said Petri Hepola, chief programme officer, F-35 at Patria. “The collaboration of Patria, Pratt & Whitney, Finnish Ministry of Defence and Defence Forces has been productive and we at Patria are eagerly looking forward to continuing this journey and developing new capabilities together.” 

“The F135 industrial opportunities offered to Finland will support the Finnish industry’s growth in 5th generation engine knowledge. Additionally, the capabilities delivered by these projects will contribute to security of supply for the defence of Finland and its NATO allies, while also expanding the F135 engine’s sustainment network,” said Chris Johnson, vice president of the F135 programme at Pratt & Whitney. “We look forward to seeing Patria-assembled F135 engines powering sovereign Finnish F-35 fighter jets in the near future. The ultimate focus is a transition to a national depot capability in support of Finnish Air Force operational requirements for decades to come.”

The F135 engine's industrial participation solution in Finland creates strong competences via security of supply and is also significant for the national economy.

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