Patria and Lockheed Martin signed their second Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for direct work within Finland´s F-35 industrial participation programme. This MoA provides the contractual framework for the stand-up and qualification of a landing gear doors production line at Patria’s Halli facility in Jämsä, Finland. The production line will deliver landing gear doors for the F-35 global fleet. The landing gear doors project is a key element of the F-35’s industrial participation solution in Finland to transfer technical and manufacturing experience in 5th Generation aircraft production. This project will provide decades of high technology manufacturing work and enable Finnish industry to prepare for future operational and sustainment opportunities. The agreement is one of many projects Lockheed Martin is partnering on with Finnish industry, universities, and research groups, focused on F-35 production, sustainment and defence-related technologies. The F-35’s industrial participation solution in Finland creates strong competences via security of supply and is also significant for national economy.
“The F-35 industrial opportunities offered to Finland leverage and increase Finnish industry’s depth of knowledge while also enhancing the country’s security of supply,” said Mike Shoemaker, vice president of F-35 customer programs at Lockheed Martin. “We look forward to working with Patria to develop this robust production capability in Finland and partnering with Finnish industry for the full life of the program.”
“This long-term agreement for manufacturing of 400 sets of F-35 landing gear doors is an important addition to Patria´s future capabilities. The further expertise of F-35 materials in connection with F-35 Forward Fuselage Assembly is essential for Finland´s security of supply. Proceeding as planned, the co-operation with Lockheed Martin and F-35 supply chain has once again been very productive,” said Petri Hepola, Chief Program Officer, F-35 at Patria.
The Government of Finland has 10 December 2021 authorised the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command to sign a procurement contract with the Government of the United States on Finland’s next multi-role fighter. The fighter replacing the Hornet fleet’s capability is the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. The procurement contains 64 F-35A Block 4 multi-role fighters, substantial and versatile weaponry tailored for the operating circumstances, required training and sustainment solutions, other related systems as well as sustainment and maintenance services until the end of 2030. In the HX Fighter Programme evaluation of the tenderers’ offers, the F-35 fulfilled the security of supply, industrial participation and affordability requirements of the decision-making areas. In the military capability assessment, the F-35 comprehensive system was the best. The F-35 combat, reconnaissance and survival capabilities were the best suited of the HX candidates. The F-35 programme is multinational and its user community large. The system is in service in many European nations including Norway and Denmark.
Patria is an international provider of defence, security and aviation life cycle support services, technology solutions and pilot training. Patria provides its aerospace and military customers with equipment availability, continuous performance development as well as selected intelligence, surveillance and management system products and services. Patria’s mission is to give its customers confidence in all conditions, and the vision is to be the #1 partner for critical operations on land, sea and air. Patria has several locations including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia and Spain. Patria employs over 3,000 professionals. Patria is owned by the State of Finland (50.1%) and Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (49.9%). Patria owns 50% of Nammo, and together these three companies form a leading Nordic defence partnership.
