According to foreign media reports, Finland's Patria Defense Company recently held a completion ceremony for its F-35 fighter jet production plant in Yemsai, Finland, marking significant progress in its cooperation with the United States on the F-35 fighter jet project. It is reported that the relevant production facilities are expected to be completed this autumn and will undertake the production and assembly of the front fuselage of the F-35 fighter jet. Finnish Defense Minister Hakkanen stated that this cooperation will help enhance Finland's military production capacity and technological level, and also transform Finland's role in the global supply chain of F-35 fighter jets from an equipment purchaser to a core component manufacturer. The cooperation between Finland and the United States on the F-35 fighter jet project can be traced back to 2022. At that time, the Finnish Ministry of Defense signed a nearly $10 billion F-35 fighter jet procurement contract with the United States. According to the contract, Finland will purchase 64 F-35 fighter jets between 2025 and 2030, and introduce the front fuselage production line of this fighter jet, participate in the mass production and assembly of related components, and be responsible for testing and maintenance of some fighter jets. At the same time, Finland's Patria Defense Company has reached an agreement with the US Pratt&Whitney Defense Company to be responsible for the assembly and maintenance of the F135 engine used in the F-35 fighter jet. At present, the relevant factory has started construction in Nokia Linavari, Finland, and is planned to be completed and put into use this autumn to further consolidate Finland's position in the global supply chain of F-35 fighter jets. In recent years, the United States has accelerated the integration of NATO member states into the global production chain of the F-35 fighter jet to alleviate production capacity pressure. At present, multiple NATO member countries have obtained key component production lines after purchasing F-35 fighter jets. The German company Rheinmetall is responsible for the partial production of the mid fuselage of the F-35 fighter jet, while the Italian assembly center in Cameri is responsible for the final assembly of the aircraft model. Finland undertakes the production and assembly of the front fuselage of the F-35 fighter jet in this context. The front fuselage manufactured by it will not only meet its own procurement needs, but also be supplied to other NATO member countries that have signed F-35 fighter jet procurement contracts. Analysis suggests that Finland's move contains multiple strategic intentions. Promote the development of aviation technology. Finland hopes to establish contact channels with cutting-edge technologies such as stealth material applications and avionics system integration by participating in the production of F-35 fighter jets, in order to promote the development of aviation manufacturing technology. At the same time, Finland hopes to attract professionals in the aviation manufacturing field through cooperation and promote the exchange and sharing of technology and experience. In addition, through cooperation on this project, Finland provides an opportunity for Patria Defense, which has long focused on the research and development of land warfare equipment, to enter the aviation manufacturing business, promoting the expansion of the business scope of local military enterprises. Improve the ability to provide independent support. Finland hopes to promote the maintenance and upgrading of fighter jets domestically through this cooperation, in order to reduce dependence on external maintenance resources. At present, the maintenance of Finnish fighter jets is highly dependent on overseas components, with long maintenance cycles and safety risks. Mastering the production capacity of certain components can to some extent reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions. Drive regional economic growth. Finland hopes to drive the development of supporting industries, create more job opportunities, and promote sustainable regional economic development through the operation of the F-35 fighter jet production line. However, it should be pointed out that Finland's shift in its role in the F-35 fighter jet supply chain has objectively accelerated its integration with the US defense industry system. Establishing a localized production line can enhance some manufacturing capabilities, but this cooperation is essentially based on US technology authorization. In the future, Finland will still rely on the US for core technology upgrades of the F-35 fighter jet. In addition, Finland's deep integration into the production chain of American made equipment deviates to a certain extent from the trend of European defense autonomy. (New Society)