Patria's F-35 engine facility completed in Finland’s Linnavuori

The assembly and maintenance facility for F-35 fighter jet engines in Linnavuori, Nokia, Finland, has been completed and officially handed over to Patria. The site, developed by Defence Properties Finland, will support the assembly, maintenance, and servicing of F135 engines under Finland’s participation in the F-35 program.

Initially used for engine assembly, the facility will later shift toward maintenance and overhaul operations. Finland’s first F-35A aircraft are expected to arrive at Rovaniemi’s Lapland Air Wing by the end of 2026, with maintenance to continue in Nokia throughout the aircraft’s operational lifespan.

The construction was carried out under the security and technical standards of both the F-35 program and the engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, as part of the broader industrial cooperation between Finland and the United States.

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the project enhances Finland’s defense cooperation with the United States and contributes to national security of supply.

“The production of F-35 components in Linnavuori is a significant and concrete step forward in the defence and security cooperation between Finland and the United States,” Häkkänen said. “It is also a recognition of Finnish expertise, which is trusted even in the most demanding projects.”

Defence Properties Finland CEO Matias Warsta noted that the construction met all U.S. security requirements.

“Strict security regulations must be observed throughout the supply chain, and both contractors and designers performed well in this demanding project,” Warsta said.

Patria’s Chief Program Officer for the F-35 Program, Petri Hepola, highlighted the collaboration between parties involved.

“It’s great to see the results of our joint efforts, which help to build new capabilities for the F-35 program,” he said.

Under an agreement signed with Pratt & Whitney in 2024, Patria will assemble F135 engines and components between 2025 and 2030 before transitioning to full Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul, and Upgrade (MRO&U) operations from 2030 onward. The program is expected to create about 50 direct jobs during its initial phase.

Alongside the production hall, new infrastructure and transport routes have also been built in Linnavuori to support long-term operations related to Finland’s F-35 fleet.