Patria begins F-35 forward fuselage and engine assembly
Patria has commenced the assembly of F-35 fighter jet forward fuselages and the manufacturing of F135 engines, marking its role as the first partner outside the U.S. to produce these components. Production is proceeding as planned.
Finnish defense company Patria has begun assembling forward fuselages and manufacturing F135 engines for the F-35 fighter jet program. The company is also producing landing gear doors as part of Finland's fighter procurement. Production activities are underway at Patria's facilities in Jämsä and Nokia.
Patria is the first partner outside the United States to manufacture forward fuselages for Lockheed Martin's F-35 aircraft. Components produced in Finland are supplied to Lockheed Martin's final assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas. The company aims to deliver the first completed engines during 2026. Under the current agreement, Patria will produce a total of 400 forward fuselages and landing gear door sets between 2026 and 2042.
Furthermore, Patria will be responsible for the maintenance and overhaul of the F135 engines for Finland's F-35 fleet throughout its lifecycle, projected to extend into the 2060s. The company possesses extensive experience in military aircraft maintenance and production, having previously managed the assembly and lifecycle upgrades of General Electric engines for the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
According to Patria, the F-35 program has necessitated the acquisition of new skills in both fuselage production and engine assembly. Collaboration with Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney has provided new expertise that will support the development of future aviation technologies. Finland's first F-35 fighter jets are expected to arrive at the Lapland Air Command base in Rovaniemi by the end of 2026, replacing the retiring Hornets.