Construction of a factory for assembling and servicing F-35 fighter engines has been completed in Linnavouri, Finland. This was reported by the press service of the defense company Patria.
The company noted that the construction was completed on schedule. "The production facilities built by Defence Properties have been handed over to Patria, which, as the strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Forces, is responsible for the assembly, maintenance, and repair of F-35 engines," the statement said.
The production facilities will initially be used for assembling engines and later for their maintenance.
The first Finnish F-35A fighters will arrive at the Rovaniemi Air Force Base in Lapland at the end of 2026. Maintenance will continue in Nokia throughout the entire lifecycle of the Finnish F-35 fleet.
Defence Properties is responsible for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure and property for Finnish F-35 fighters. In addition to the facilities in Linnavouri, Defence Properties will be building infrastructure at all Air Force bases throughout this decade.
According to a contract signed with Pratt & Whitney in 2024, Patria will assemble F-35 engines and components from 2025 to 2030, and from 2030, the maintenance phase for F-35 engines will begin.
Yle reported that Finland will acquire 64 multi-role F-35 fighters to replace its current fleet of Hornets. The new aircraft are planned to be put into operation in the early 2030s.
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