Patria Commences F-35 Forward Fuselage Production, Cementing Finland’s Role in Global Supply Chain

Finnish defense technology company Patria has officially initiated the production of forward fuselage sections and landing gear doors for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, alongside the assembly of Pratt & Whitney F135 engines. This significant development positions Patria to produce 400 sets of forward fuselages and landing gear doors for the F-35’s global supply chain, marking a critical expansion of Finland’s defense industry manufacturing and maintenance capabilities under the nation’s HX Program.

Following extensive preparatory phases, Patria has become the first industrial partner outside the United States to manufacture F-35 forward fuselages for Lockheed Martin. Components produced at Patria’s facilities in Finland will be dispatched to Lockheed Martin’s final assembly plant in Fort Worth, Texas, for integration into F-35 aircraft. The current framework agreement outlines production between 2026 and 2042, ensuring Finland’s long-term engagement in the F-35 industrial ecosystem. This production is not confined to Finland’s order of 64 F-35A jets but will support the global fleet, supplying parts for F-35s destined for other user nations.

Beyond airframe components, Patria is also undertaking the assembly of Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engines, which will power Finland’s F-35A fleet. The initial fully assembled F135 engines are targeted for delivery within 2026. Leveraging its extensive experience, which includes previous assembly work for General Electric engines used in Finland’s F/A-18 Hornet fleet and comprehensive MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) for those aircraft, Patria will assume responsibility for the F-35 fleet’s engine MRO activities throughout its operational life, projected to extend into the 2060s.

Finland’s strategic approach to F-35 sustainment further includes establishing domestic maintenance facilities and national control over spare parts inventories. The nation will also integrate into the broader multinational F-35 sustainment network. Major General Kari Renko, Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command, affirmed that Finland is poised to develop the most comprehensive local F-35 maintenance capability outside of the United States.

The production of F-35 forward fuselages and other structural components demands exceptionally precise manufacturing processes due to the aircraft’s advanced low observable (stealth) capabilities. Patria has received extensive technical knowledge and expertise from Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney to support these complex manufacturing endeavors, with the transfer of F-35 data from the U.S. strictly adhering to licensing agreements and stringent export controls.

This industrial collaboration is a cornerstone of the agreement signed between the Finnish Ministry of Defence, Lockheed Martin, and Pratt & Whitney. Finland finalized its order for 64 F-35A fighter jets in December 2021 as part of the HX Program, slated to replace its aging F/A-18 Hornet fleet. Finland’s inaugural F-35A aircraft was unveiled at a factory rollout ceremony in Fort Worth on December 16, 2025, with the first deliveries to Finland anticipated by the end of 2026. The Finnish F-35 fleet is projected to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2028.

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