The Finnish Defence Forces (Puolustusvoimat) and Patria have updated their strategic partnership agreement. The new agreement ensures continued operational availability of the Defence Forces' military aviation assets, naval defence systems, and command systems in all security situations.
According to the Defence Forces' press release, the strategic partnership is the most comprehensive form of collaboration between the Defence Forces and industry. It includes information exchange, preparedness measures, and joint development of services and methods during peacetime and heightened readiness. The agreement also includes a defence economic agreement that guarantees access to personnel, facilities, and production capacity in exceptional circumstances.
– Ensuring the continuity of operations in a changing security environment is an important part of the strategic partnership. The agreement signed today supports this goal, says Major General Tero Ylitalo, head of the Defence Forces Logistics Command, in the Defence Forces' press release.
In a press release from Patria, it is stated that the updated agreement also includes a new technology partnership. According to Patria, this enables the development of new capabilities in close cooperation with the Defence Forces.
– Patria is committed to maintaining the Defence Forces' operational readiness in the long term, both in peacetime and in crisis, says Esa Rautalinko, CEO of Patria, in the company's press release.
The cooperation between the Defence Forces and Patria has historical roots going back over a hundred years. The term strategic partnership was introduced in the 2000s as part of the goal to coordinate the resources of the state and industry to maintain and further develop capabilities in a cost-effective manner.