The Finnish Defence Forces and Patria Strengthen Their Strategic Partnership
The Finnish Defence Forces and Patria have updated their Strategic Partnership Agreement. The agreement ensures that the Defence Forces’ military aviation assets, naval defence systems, and command and control systems remain operational throughout their life cycle in all security situations.
Through strategic partnerships, the Defence Forces secure critical services and capabilities on a long-term basis. It is the most comprehensive form of cooperation between the Defence Forces and industry. The partnerships include extensive information sharing, preparedness measures, and close cooperation to develop services and operating models during peacetime for the different stages of readiness enhancement. With every strategic partner, a Defence Economic Agreement is also concluded to guarantee the availability of personnel, facilities, and production capacity during emergency conditions.
The updated agreement was signed by Major General Tero Ylitalo, Chief of the Defence Forces Logistics Command, and Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO of Patria.
– Ensuring continuity of operations in a changing security environment is an essential part of our strategic partnership. The agreement signed today supports this objective, Major General Ylitalo states.
The Defence Forces have developed strategic partnerships since the early 2000s. The aim has been to combine the expertise of the Defence Forces and Finnish industry to maintain and develop capabilities in a cost-effective manner. The partnerships cover a wide range of activities, from materiel maintenance and logistics solutions to command, control, and information systems as well as training.
In addition to Patria, the Defence Forces have partnership cooperation with several companies and a training partnership with the National Defence Training Association of Finland (MPK). Together, these partnerships form an integral part of the national defence system and support the Defence Forces from normal conditions to emergency situations.
