OREANDA-NEWS Finnish defense concern Patria and Lockheed Martin, which produces fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters, have signed the first framework agreement on direct industrial cooperation, including the assembly of F-35 fuselages. This was reported in Patria, RIA Novosti reports.

"This agreement between Patria and Lockheed Martin on the assembly of F-35 fuselages is an important milestone for the Finnish F-35 program and for Patria. The large—scale assembly of 400 front fuselages will take Patria's industrial capabilities to a new level," Patria representative Petri Hepola is quoted as saying in the message.

The F-35 made its first flight in 2006. The family of inconspicuous fighter-bombers includes the basic version of the F-35A, the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft and the F-35C carrier-based fighter.