Patria, the Finnish defense and technology group, has announced a major strategic shift with the implementation of a new operating model starting 1 June 2025. The transition follows the company’s updated growth strategy revealed in March 2025, aimed at strengthening responsiveness to growing defense demand and a dynamic global security environment.
The decision to adopt a new structure was reached following the conclusion of change negotiations, which took place in good faith between management and personnel groups. The discussions, which began on 17 March 2025, involved approximately 1,600 employees.
Under the new operating model, Patria will focus its operations on three core business areas, each carrying profit responsibility:
• Protected Mobility – Overseeing new vehicle sales, along with associated offerings and deliveries.
• Defence and Weapon Systems – Handling the sales and deployment of weapon systems, drones, and air surveillance products.
• Sustainment Solutions – Responsible for lifecycle support, software products, and the company’s public authority business. This unit will also manage Patria’s strategic partnership with the Finnish Defence Forces.
This transformation is driven by several key strategic factors, including heightened national and EU defense spending, increased demand for modern defense solutions, and Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership—highlighting a focus on territorial and Arctic defense capabilities.
The new Group Management Team will assume their roles on 1 June 2025, reporting directly to President and CEO Esa Rautalinko. The team comprises:
• Jussi Järvinen – EVP, Protected Mobility
• Mikko Leino – EVP, Defence and Weapon Systems
• Pekka Ruutu – EVP, Sustainment Solutions
• Petri Hepola – EVP, Sales and Marketing, Chief Program Officer, F-35
• Päivi Lindqvist – Chief Financial Officer
• Leena Orpo – Chief Human Resources Officer
• Ara Haikarainen – Chief Legal Officer
• Kari Renko – EVP, Strategic Programs
Although the changes are expected to affect around 400 employees, no direct layoffs are planned. Each affected individual will be offered a new role, supporting internal mobility and growth. Reductions may occur only if an employee declines the proposed new position. Patria also anticipates an increase in headcount during the year.
In Patria’s international operations, any potential job changes are being managed in accordance with respective local laws.
Commenting on the development, President and CEO Esa Rautalinko stated:
“I want to thank all personnel at Patria for the very constructive, good-spirited, and quickly implemented change negotiations. Now we can fully focus on the implementation of the new operating model and the execution of our strategy. The rapid change in our operating environment provides a huge opportunity for us to grow, and we must be even more efficient in responding to it.”
