Patria and Pratt & Whitney have signed an agreement that consolidates the final assembly and inspection of F135 engines destined for the Finnish Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II fighters.
The work covers the assembly and testing of a series of F135 engines at Patria’s new assembly and maintenance facility in Linnavuori, where production has already begun and is expected to continue until 2030.
Under the agreement, Patria will be responsible not only for assembly, but also for maintenance and long-term support of the engines. Finland’s first F-35A fighter jets are expected to arrive at Lapland Air Force Base in late 2026, while engine maintenance activities will continue at Linnavuori throughout the service life of the Finnish F-35 fleet.
The understanding formalizes a decision taken in 2024, which already provided for the assembly of F135 engines and components between 2025 and 2030, followed by a dedicated service and maintenance phase from 2030 onwards. The new agreement confirms the schedule and reinforces Patria’s industrial role within the F-35 program in Finland.
To mark the start of production of the F135 in the country, Patria installed a historic Pratt & Whitney engine from the Second World War on display at the Linnavuori complex. The piece was recovered from a lake near the city of Orivesi in the spring of 2025, symbolizing the link between the American manufacturer’s legacy and the current fifth-generation fighter program.
Source and images: Patria Group / Pratt & Whitney. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
