Patria, RUAG Team Up For F/A-18 Fleet Support

Patria Aviation and RUAG Aviation has signed a Teaming Agreement to deliver life cycle support for the F/A-18 fleets of the Finnish and Swiss air forces.

The Finnish Ministry of Defence and the Swiss Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports have agreed to study the impacts of the worldwide F/A-18 sundown programmes that will progressively affect the Finnish and Swiss fleets. The Industry Teaming Agreement supports the Finn-Swiss F/A-18 joint Life Cycle planning, which aims to improve cost efficiency in future sustainment as well as information exchange between the two countries and their respective industries.

“The co-operation between Patria and RUAG casts a strong foundation to secure the sustainment of the aging F/A-18 fleets and will utilize both companies’ resources to the maximum benefit of our customers,” says Lassi Matikainen, President of Patria Aviation.

“All countries operating legacy F/A-18 fleets can ultimately benefit from this Teaming Agreement,” states Heinz Scholl, Vice President Military Aviation at RUAG Aviation. “By combining our know-how and experience through joint projects for our respective domestic fleets, we are able to provide better solutions effectively and affordably throughout the service life of F/A-18 jets.”