Millog joins Lockheed Martin’s product support provider network, supporting F-35-aircraft ground support equipment.
Millog and Lockheed Martin have entered into an agreement covering maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade services for the global F-35 programme’s ground support equipment. The services provided to Lockheed Martin will support the Finnish Defence Forces’ F-35 operations and enable the delivery of similar support to other F-35 partner and customer nations.
“We are delighted to embark on this cooperation with Lockheed Martin. The agreement strengthens our ability to support the Finnish Defence Forces and contributes to Finland’s security of supply by ensuring that fighter aircraft support operations can be carried out domestically. The partnership builds on a strong foundation, as Millog has also been involved in maintaining ground support equipment for the Hornet fleet,” says Marko Kinnunen, Head of Millog’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Business Unit.
Finland has ordered a total of 64 F-35A fighter aircraft from the United States to replace its current F/A-18 Hornet fleet by the early 2030s. The first of these new-generation fighter aircraft were officially presented in Rovaniemi on Thursday, 1 October.
The aim is for the Finnish Air Force to be able to deploy the new fighters on basic missions, such as surveillance and the protection of Finland’s territorial integrity, by the end of 2027. Full operational capability is expected to be achieved by 2031.