Ensuring Security of Supply and Opportunities in Global Supply Chain
Quick on the heels of the announcement of Helsinki’s selection of the F-35A for Finland’s HX fighter programme, Patria confirmed it holds a significant position in the programme on 10 December.
The Finnish fighter programme is a significant opportunity for Patria, which has been actively involved in the preparation work supporting the MoD and the Finnish Defence Forces. The company already maintains the current fighter fleet, and has special skills and unique know-how to support Finland’s overall security of supply through its long history.
“Patria has been a neutral strategic partner for the Finnish Defence Forces in the programme. The main target has been to ensure national security of supply and sustainment of the future fighter fleet. This decision will also open Patria a significant access to the global F-35 supply chain,” says Petri Hepola, Head of Patria’s HX Programme.
The F-35’s industrial cooperation solution in Finland creates strong competence in security of supply, and is also important vis-à-vis the national economy. The main industrial cooperation projects for Patria are large-scale manufacturing of F-35 front fuselages in Finland – for other operators as well as Finland – and further production of structural components. In addition, the F-35 team has offered an engine final assembly facility for the Finnish Air Force fleet. In addition to existing repair capabilities, numerous components across a range of aircraft systems will be built in Finland. The employment effect of industrial participation will be 4,500 man-years directly and 1,500 indirectly. The industrial participation contract will be signed by the MoD, Lockheed Martin and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
“The project will have a significant employment impact — not only for Patria, but nationally as well. Cooperation with Lockheed Martin certainly opens a lot of new opportunities for […] Finnish companies. Different partnerships will ensure a cost-effective and extensive knowledge base for Finland,” explained Esa Rautalinko President and CEO of Patria Group.
