The Finnish Defence Forces and Patria have strengthened their long-standing collaboration with a new strategic partnership agreement. The agreement aims to ensure that Finland’s aircraft, naval defense systems, and command infrastructure remain operational under all security conditions.
The new contract was signed by Major General Tero Ylitalo, Chief of Logistics of the Finnish Defence Forces, and Esa Rautalinko, CEO of Patria.
Ylitalo emphasized the critical importance of the agreement for the continuity of the country’s defense capabilities, stating, “Ensuring uninterrupted operations in a changing security environment is the core purpose of the strategic partnership. The new agreement reinforces this objective.”
Patria CEO Rautalinko highlighted the company’s long-term commitment: “As Patria, we are committed to keeping the Finnish Defence Forces’ equipment operational in both peacetime and crisis periods. Through the technology partnership included in the new agreement, we will develop new capabilities together with the Defence Forces.”
A Collaboration Spanning Over a Century
The cooperation between Patria and the Finnish Defence Forces dates back over 100 years. Since the 2000s, the concept of a “strategic partnership” has been applied, formalizing the relationship between the two institutions within this framework.
The partnership encompasses not only technical support but also knowledge sharing, the development of new technologies, and the preservation of production capacity during crises. As part of this, wartime economy agreements secure the availability of personnel, facilities, and production resources in extraordinary circumstances.
