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Finland has completed the assembly of its first F135 fighter jet engine, marking a major milestone in the country’s F-35 program and giving the Nordic nation a new domestic capability to support one of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft.
The engine was assembled by Finnish defense company Patria at its new facility in Linnavuori, located in Nokia. The site will eventually handle the assembly, maintenance, repair, overhaul, and upgrade of Finland’s F135 engines. Patria and Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, began final engine assembly in Finland in February 2026, according to the company.
The first completed engine was celebrated at the Linnavuori facility on September 3, 2026, as production entered full-scale operations. Assembly is scheduled to continue through 2030, after which the facility will increasingly focus on long-term maintenance and sustainment activities.
“This is a significant milestone,” said Colonel (ret.) Henrik Elo, F-35 Program Director of the Finnish Air Force. He said the ability to assemble the engines in Finland demonstrates close cooperation between Finnish and American defense industries while strengthening the country’s domestic security of supply.
The milestone comes as Finland prepares to receive its first F-35A fighter jets. The country has ordered 64 aircraft, with the first fighters scheduled to arrive at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi during the fall of 2026.
The F135, manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, powers all three variants of the F-35 and is considered the world’s most powerful operational fighter jet engine. Its high-output design provides the thrust required for advanced combat performance while also supplying the substantial thermal and electrical demands of the fifth-generation aircraft.
Finland’s new capability could also improve the resilience of its future F-35 fleet. Domestic engine maintenance reduces reliance on overseas industrial capacity when major servicing is required, potentially helping keep aircraft available during periods of increased demand.
Patria and Pratt & Whitney signed a framework agreement for F135 maintenance, repair, overhaul, and upgrade operations in 2024, laying the foundation for Finland’s long-term role in supporting the engine. Patria estimates that the program will directly create around 50 jobs between 2025 and 2030.
As Finland’s first F-35s arrive, its new Linnavuori facility is expected to become a permanent part of the global F-35 sustainment network, giving the country greater independence in maintaining one of the most powerful fighter aircraft propulsion systems currently in service.
