Patria executive Martti Wallin appointed Chairman of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries Association
Martti Wallin, President of Patria's Aviation business unit, was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries (AFDA) on January 8, 2019. Patria's Chief Business Development Officer, Pasi Niinikoski, was named Chairman of AFDA's Strategy Group.
The Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries (AFDA) has appointed Martti Wallin, President of Patria's Aviation business unit, as the new Chairman of the association's Board. The appointment took effect on January 8, 2019.
The AFDA Board comprises 11 members representing defence and aerospace companies of various sizes. Additionally, Pasi Niinikoski, Patria's Chief Business Development Officer, was appointed as Chairman of AFDA’s Strategy Group.
AFDA plays a significant role in fostering the success of Finland's defence, aerospace, and security industries. Finland is recognized for producing state-of-the-art technology in these sectors, with member companies investing substantially in product development, allocating approximately 15% of their turnover to it. Many members, including Patria, have strong international ties.
Wallin stated that the Finnish defence and aerospace industries heavily invest in technology and product development, with a considerable portion of their products and services being exported. He highlighted that projects by the Finnish Defence Forces offer sector companies opportunities to contribute to national security of supply and collaborate with international system suppliers. European defence initiatives, such as the European Defence Fund, are also key priorities for AFDA.