Finland’s F135 Engine: Finland has reached an important point in its F-35 programme after Patria completed the country’s first F135 fighter engine at its facility in Linnavuori, Nokia. The engine was presented on September 3, 2026. This gives Finland a local place for F135 engine work as its new F-35A jets start arriving.
F135 Engine work starts in Finland
Patria is working with Pratt & Whitney, which is part of RTX, on the engine programme. The two companies agreed in February 2026 to start final assembly of F135 engines in Finland. The work is now in production and is planned to continue at Linnavuori until 2030.
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The Finnish site won’t only be used for putting new engines together. In the coming years, Patria is also expected to handle maintenance, repairs, major overhauls and upgrades of the engines. This work is planned to continue for the full operating life of Finland’s F-35 fleet. The wider framework agreement for these activities was signed by the companies in 2024. The programme is also expected to create around 50 direct jobs at Patria between 2025 and 2030.
“Patria’s part of the F-35 programme is progressing according to plan and has now entered full-scale production,” said Petri Hepola, Chief Programme Officer for F-35 at Patria. “The completion of the first F135 engine is a significant milestone and a strong start for F135 engine assembly in Finland.”
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Patria says its role will grow as Finland moves from receiving the aircraft to operating and maintaining them inside the country.
“Patria is also strengthening its role as part of the F-35 production and sustainment ecosystem,” said retired Colonel Henrik Elo, F-35 Programme Director for the Finnish Air Force. “The production line will be adapted for engine maintenance activities, and the expertise being built today will strongly support the domestic security of supply for our F-35 fleet in the future.”
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The F135 is the engine used by the F-35 family. Pratt & Whitney says its global F135 network already handles production and long-term engine support at several locations around the world. Jill Albertelli, President of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, also called the Finnish assembly milestone an important step for the wider F-35 support network.
“Assembly of Finland’s first F135 engine marks an important milestone in strengthening the global F-35 sustainment network and expanding propulsion capability in Finland,” said Jill Albertelli, President of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. “This capability will support the readiness and resilience of Finland’s F-35 fleet while strengthening the collective defence of Finland and its NATO allies.”
First F-35A Jets set to Arrive in 2026
Finland has ordered 64 F-35A fighters. The aircraft are scheduled to replace its ageing F/A-18 Hornet fleet, with deliveries and introduction into service planned from 2026 through 2030.
The first Finnish F-35A aircraft are scheduled to arrive at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi in autumn 2026. With engine assembly already happening at Linnavuori, Finland is building its own support capability at the same time that the new fighters begin entering service.
