Patria, a major player in Finland's defense industry, recently inaugurated its F-35 forward fuselage assembly plant located in the central town of Jämsä. The facility is expected to be completed this fall and officially operational by spring next year, aimed at enhancing the production capacity of the F-35 fighter jets while strengthening the European defense supply chain.

The opening ceremony, held on the 13th, was attended by representatives from the Finnish military, Patria, and Lockheed Martin. This marks a historical moment for all parties involved. The plant will employ 150 staff members and is set to start operations in spring, focusing on the manufacturing and assembly of the F-35’s forward fuselage to accelerate delivery schedules.

Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen stated that this achievement symbolizes the international recognition of Finland's defense industry technology, which may lead to increased participation in advanced fighter jet supply chains, thereby enhancing national security and economic development.

Moreover, last June, Patria signed a cooperation agreement with RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney to establish a production line for F-35 engines in Finland, along with maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, officially integrating into the F-35 supply chain. Lockheed Martin anticipates that the new facility will bolster F-35 production capacity and strengthen the stability of international supply chains.

Finland has also secured U.S. approval to purchase 64 F-35A jets in Block 4 under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, scheduled for delivery from 2025 to 2030, further enhancing logistics support and supply chain efficiency through relevant agreements.