Patria (company)

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Patria Group
TypePublic limited company
IndustryAn international provider of defence, security and aviation life cycle support services, pilot training and technology solutions.
PredecessorValmet, Lapua, Vihtavuori, Oy Sisu Ab,
Founded1997; 24 years ago (1997)
Headquarters
Helsinki
,
Finland
Area served
worldwide
Key people
 (Chairman)
(CEO and President)
ProductsArmored wheeled vehicles and weapon systems as well as their life cycle support services; defence, security and aviation life cycle support services and technology solutions.
ServicesDefence, security and aviation life cycle support services and technology solutions.Life cycle support services for aircraft and helicopters as well as pilot training. Development and integration of systems for command and control and situational awareness as well as their life cycle support services
RevenueDecrease 534.1 million € (2020)
Decrease 40,3 million € (2020)
OwnerFinnish government (50.1%)
Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS (49.9%)
Number of employees
2,973 (2020)
Websitewww.patriagroup.com

Patria Plc (Finnish: Patria Oyj, Swedish: Patria Abp) is a Finnish provider of defence, security and aviation life-cycle support services and technology solutions. Following a deal in 2006, Patria is owned 50.1% by the Finnish government and 49.9% by Norwegian defense group Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS.

History[]

Patria's history begins in 1921 with the establishment of the Finnish Air Force Aircraft Factory at Suomenlinna. The operations begin with licensed manufacturing of the German Hansa-Brandenburg aircraft, with the total production volume between 1922 and 1926 amounting to 120 aircraft. Patria's centenary issue[1] describes the company's history.

History events and important steps

During 2001, Patria had secured contracts to build several elements of the NHIndustries NH90 helicopter, such as the rear fuselage, rear ramp, sponsons and sliding doors; the firm also signed Memorandum of understanding to perform final assembly of both the helicopter and its engines.[2] In March 2008, deliveries of Finland's NH90 commenced;[3] deliveries had been delayed from an initial 2004 date thus, to minimize further delay, helicopters were first delivered to an Initial Operational Configuration (IOC-) and Nearly Operational Configuration (IOC+), to be later modified by Patria into a Final Operational Configuration (FOC).[4][5] In September 2011, the Finnish Defence Forces and Patria signed an agreement to provide ballistic protection for onboard personnel across the NH90 fleet.[6] On 18 June 2015, delivery of the final Finnish NH90 took place.[7]

Patria has produced components for numerous aircraft manufacturers; it has manufactured elements of the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger airliner, as well as being a long-term supplier to the Airbus A320 family and the Embraer ERJ-145.[8][9][10] Patria has also produced components for multiple programmes headed by the European Space Agency.[11][12] During late 2004, the company was actively perusing work on Airbus' A350 XWB and A400M Atlas, as well as Boeing's 787.[8]

Patria also provides support and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) services for various aircraft. During 2009, it won a contract to modernise the Finnish Air Force's 49 BAE Systems Hawk 51/51As with CMC Electronics's Cockpit 4000 avionics suite;[13] months later, Patria was awarded a second contract to upgrade the avionics of 18 Finnish Hawk 66s.[14] Furthermore, it has made offers to supply and support Hawks for foreign operators, including a bid for the Polish Air Force in 2011.[15] In March 2014, the company partnered with Swiss aerospace company RUAG to offer MRO services to McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet operators worldwide.[16]

During March 2016, it was announced that Norwegian defense group Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS had agreed terms to purchase a 49.9% stake in Patria; Walter Qvam, Kongsberg chief executive, stated that the company was keen to leverage new advantages from the deal, including Patria's 50 per cent ownership in Norwegian ammunition manufacturer Nammo.[17] The transaction placed a total value of 283.5 million euros on Patria.[18]

Operations[]

Patria is operationally divided into business units: Aviation, Aerostructures, International Support Partnerships, Land, Systems, Millog and Nammo.

Criminal investigation[]

Main article: Patria case

As of 5 September 2008, Patria is under investigation by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation on its vehicle project in Slovenia and howitzer project in Egypt.[19] On 18 August 2008, the company's former CEO Jorma Wiitakorpi resigned while the investigation was ongoing; he was succeeded by former board member Heikki Allonen.[20]

Furthermore, several other employees have been arrested on charges of bribery. The case is ongoing and currently (as of 5 September 2008) the criminal investigation is underway. Yleisradio's investigative program MOT published details of the case, causing a scandal in Slovenia, since the Slovenian Government including then-Prime Minister Janez Janša was allegedly involved.[citation needed]

On 17 February 2016, the Turku Court of Appeal released its decision, in which the Court dismissed all charges related to Patria's export project to Croatia, has gained legal force and is final. None of the parties to the case applied for permission to appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal in the Supreme Court. Also the demand for a corporate fine to be imposed on Patria Land Services Oy was dismissed.[21]

References[]

  1. ^ "Patria 100". Patria. 21 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Saab and Patria set to pick up NH90 offset". Flight International. 25 September 2001.
  3. ^ "Finnish Army Aviation Takes Delivery Of Its First NH90". NHI Industries. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Finland Receives Suila’s NH90 Program Lessons Report." Archived 2014-12-20 at the Wayback Machine Defense Industry Daily, 5 March 2008.
  5. ^ Suila, Keijo. "Finland’s Helicopter Programme." Archived 2014-07-27 at the Wayback Machine defmin.fi, March 2008.
  6. ^ "Finnish NH90 helicopters to receive Patria ballistic protection." Archived 2014-12-20 at the Wayback Machine Patria, 1 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Maavoimat vastaanotti vuosien odottelun jälkeen viimeisen NH90-kopterin". Iltalehti. 18 June 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b La Franchi, Peter (16 November 2004). "Patria eyes A350 and 7E7 work". Flight International.
  9. ^ "Patria fills Saab void with Embraer work". Flight International. 18 March 1998.
  10. ^ "Finland's Patricomp expands its activities". Flight International. 21 February 2006.
  11. ^ "Telescope tube is delivered to Dasa". Flight International. 7 January 1998.
  12. ^ "Finns provide ESA with lightweight strength". Flight International. 19 June 2001.
  13. ^ Hoyle, Craig (16 June 2009). "PARIS AIR SHOW: Finnish air force chief accepts first upgraded Hawk jet trainer". Flight International.
  14. ^ Hoyle, Craig (25 January 2010). "Finland signs €40m deal for secondhand Hawk upgrade". Flight International.
  15. ^ Glowacki, Bartosz (10 June 2011). "Poland issues RFP for trainers". Flight International.
  16. ^ Hoyle, Craig (17 March 2014). "Patria, Ruag step-up F-18 support offer". Flight International.
  17. ^ Stevenson, Beth (17 March 2016). "Kongsberg acquires 49.9% stake in Finland's Patria". Flight International.
  18. ^ "The sale of Patria's shares to Kongsberg completed" (Press release). Patria. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  19. ^ Patria press release about the investigation Archived 2008-06-15 at archive.today
  20. ^ Patria press release about the CEO change[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ "Last bribery charges against Patria dismissed". Patria.
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