The company held a ceremony on April 1 to mark the launch of production at the site. The Halli facility, located in central Finland, was officially opened in June 2025, with preparations for manufacturing completed ahead of the spring start.
The assembly work is being carried out under a licensing agreement with Lockheed Martin. It forms part of an industrial cooperation framework linked to Finland’s acquisition of F-35 aircraft.
Celebrating a landmark moment in aviation history. ✈️
The assembly of forward fuselages for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighters has officially begun at Patria’s new Halli facility in Jämsä, Finland, marking a significant milestone for Finland’s defence industry.
To commemorate… pic.twitter.com/XXla1RnTcl
— Patria Group (@group_patria) April 1, 2026
Petri Hepola, Chief Program Officer of F-35 at Patria, said the milestone demonstrates the company’s capabilities. “The launch of F-35 forward fuselage assembly at our Halli facility showcases the team’s expertise, further concretises Finnish industrial participation in the F-35 program, and ensures we are a reliable partner to Lockheed Martin in supporting global security and supply chains,” he said.
Henrik Elo, F-35 Programme Director, also highlighted the national impact of the project. “Domestic production strengthens our security of supply and brings important defence know-how to Finland. This strongly indicates the excellence of the Finnish industry and the trust it enjoys internationally,” he said.
Under an offset agreement signed in June 2023, the facility is expected to produce 400 forward fuselage sections. Deliveries of these components are scheduled to begin in 2030 following a ramp-up phase.
The project is also expected to create approximately 150 jobs once production reaches full capacity. It represents a key element of Finland’s industrial participation in the F-35 program.
Additional agreements have expanded Patria’s role in the aircraft’s production chain. These include work on landing gear doors and collaboration with other industrial partners.
A separate facility in Linnavuori, operated by Nokia, supports the production and maintenance of Pratt & Whitney F135 engines. This forms part of a broader industrial cooperation framework tied to the program.
The F-35A aircraft will replace Finland’s existing fleet of F/A-18 Hornet fighters under the HX program. The transition is part of a wider modernization of the Finnish Air Force.
Initial aircraft have already been delivered to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in the United States for training purposes. Additional deliveries are expected as the program progresses.
The aircraft will be equipped with a range of advanced weapons systems, including long-range missiles and precision-guided munitions. Integration with additional systems is planned as part of future capability development.
