Construction of F-35 fighter engine assembly and maintenance facilities in Finland progresses as scheduled
The construction project of assembly and maintenance facilities for F-35 fighter aircraft engines in Linnavuori, Nokia, is progressing on schedule. The topping-out ceremony took place on 14 March 2025.
Construction of a new building is part of the industrial cooperation package under the F-35 fighter project. The assembly and maintenance hall, to be completed in autumn 2025, will contribute to improving the security of supply of Finland’s future fleet of F-35 multi-role combat aircraft.
“The service and maintenance capabilities for F135 engines now under construction at Linnavuori and the competence thus generated in Finland will strengthen the military security of supply regarding the F-35 system. Building new maintenance capability in Finland will enable the Finnish Air Force to keep the engines of F-35 fighters operational in all circumstances,” says Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.
The construction project is overseen by Defence Properties Finland, and the new multi-purpose facilities will be operated by the defence and technology company Patria, a strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Forces. Patria boasts a decades-long experience in maintaining and repairing defence system engines and components at its Linnavuori site.
The new production facilities will initially serve as assembly lines for engines before transitioning into maintenance facilities for the engines of this new type of fighter aircraft. Maintenance activities will continue in Nokia throughout the entire service life of Finland’s F-35 fleet.
The construction projects will follow the objectives and safety and security standards detailed in the F-35 programme and set by the US engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
The construction plans and progress of the work have been regularly reviewed by the parties concerned to ensure that the buildings and infrastructure meet the criteria set for engine assembly and maintenance for the purposes of industrial cooperation. All inspections have been successful.
These developments, necessitated by the F-35 fighters, are managed by Defence Properties Finland. In addition to the industrial cooperation facilities, the overall project will also involve construction and alteration work by regional and national construction companies across all Finnish Air Force bases within the next few years.
The assembly and maintenance capabilities for the F-35 fighter’s F135 engine currently developed in Linnavuori are part of the direct industrial cooperation under the F-35 project. The functions under construction in Finland under such cooperation are exceptional by international standards: some of the industrial tasks concerned have not previously been conducted outside the United States. Another key project involved is the large-scale production of F-35 front fuselage sections, landing gear doors and other components in Patria’s facility in Jämsä for the purposes of the F-35 programme, alongside component maintenance capabilities.
The primary focus of Finland’s participation is on direct industrial cooperation, aimed at creating major independent maintenance capabilities and, in terms of security of supply, developing convincing expertise in the domestic industry. It is also significant for the national economy, the estimated direct domestic employment impact being 4,500 direct and 1,500 indirect person-years.
The goal of industrial participation is to step up and sustain production, technology and expertise within the defence and security industries, critical in terms of military defence, state security and functions vital to society. Another goal is to improve and safeguard security of supply at national level.
Inquiries:
Inquiries: Krista Siik, Branch Engineer, Ministry of Defence, tel. + 358 295 140 015
Petri Hepola, Chief Programme Officer at Patria, tel. +358 40 869 3760
Matias Warsta, CEO of Defence Properties Finland, tel. +358 29 483 1000