Patria Received a Significant Order for MLU2 series installations for the Finnish Air Force

Patria received a significant order from the Finnish Air Force for series installations of MLU2 systems upgrades for its Hornet fighters. The value of the order is over EUR 24 million and it has a noteworthy employment effect at Patria´s Halli Works in Jämsä.

The Finnish Air Force order covers modification of 35 Hornet fighters and related manufacturing of components and harnesses. The work will commence in 2012 and is to be completed in 2013–2015, as the installations take place in conjunction with scheduled maintenance and structural updates of the aircraft.

The work will be carried out by Patria's Aviation and Systems Business Units in Halli, where personnel resources will also be increased in the coming years as a result of the order. The order’s employment effect is some 150 man years.

‘Supporting work and preparations for the MLU2 series installations of the upgrade are already under way in Halli. Patria has worked in close cooperation with the Finnish Air Force and the United States Navy, which is responsible for the MLU2 systems, since 2004, when planning for the system upgrade's implementation began,’ says Lassi Matikainen, President  of Patria’s Aviation Business Unit.

The goal of the Finnish Air Force is to upgrade all of its 62 fighters by the end of 2016. Patria has earlier implemented the first systems upgrade (MLU1) between 2007 and 2010 and performed the final assembly and testing of 57 single-seat F-18 C models when the fighters were purchased.

Further information:

Lassi Matikainen, President,  Aviation, tel. +358 40 869 3351 and e-mail address [email protected]

Patria is a defence, security and aerospace group with international operations delivering its customers competitive solutions based on own specialist know-how and partnerships. Patria is owned by the State of Finland and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V.