Patria officially opened its new F-35 production facility at the company’s Halli site in Jämsä, marking a key milestone in Finland’s participation in the global F-35 fighter jet programme. The event was attended by senior representatives from Patria, Lockheed Martin, and the Finnish Defence Forces.
The facility, set for completion in autumn 2025, will carry out large-scale assembly of forward fuselages for the F-35 Lightning II and will become an integral part of the aircraft’s international supply chain. The project is part of the industrial cooperation agreement linked to Finland’s procurement of F-35 fighter aircraft.
“This production line is a testament to the trust placed in Finnish expertise,” said Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen. “Patria’s role in the F-35 programme strengthens our technological base and national security of supply while providing long-term economic benefits.”
Petri Hepola, Patria’s Chief Program Officer for the F-35, emphasized the collaborative nature of the effort. “We are proud to be building new capabilities in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, the Finnish Defence Forces, and Lockheed Martin. The production line brings Finland into a global network critical to allied defence.”
Nick Drazic, Vice President of Aeronautics Operations at Lockheed Martin, noted the broader impact of the facility: “This partnership not only adds capacity and resilience to the F-35 supply chain but also creates sustainable jobs and economic value in Finland and beyond. We are pleased to welcome Patria into our global industrial team.”
The production line is expected to employ up to 150 personnel once fully operational. Manufacturing is scheduled to begin in spring 2026.