Patria to seek new industrial partner following Airbus exit
Airbus Group is to sell its entire 26.8 percent stake in Patria under a share buyback agreement which will leave the Finnish defence, security and aviation services provider under full state control.
Airbus initiated the sale as part of a portfolio review. Following the transaction, which is expected to be complete before the end of 2014, part of the shares will be cancelled, and a certain number of shares will be placed by Patria in Governia, a state-owned company with special assignment.
The State of Finland, Patria’s majority shareholder - represented in the transaction by the Ownership Steering Department of the Prime Minister’s Office (OSD) – will then seek a new industrial partner for the company.
Eero Heliövaara, director-general, OSD, said: ‘The state recognizes the input of Airbus over the years of business cooperation. Industrial partnership has proved an effective way for Patria to engage in international business. Therefore, the state considers it important to find a new industrial partner for Patria as minority shareholder to enhance the further development of the company’s business. The current solution is only temporary in nature and the owner will initiate measures with Patria to seek a new minority partner early next year.’
Marwan Lahoud, chief strategy and marketing officer, Airbus Group, added: ‘With the sale of our stake in Patria, we are implementing the conclusions drawn from our portfolio review earlier this year for the future set-up of our defence and security business. I thank the Finnish government for its cooperation and support in completing this transaction so smoothly. I also wish to thank the management and employees of Patria for the good partnership we have had for many years. For sure, we will continue our good cooperation on several joint projects.’
More from Defence Notes
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Partnership deals surge as industry prepares for defence spending growth]()
Eurosatory 2026: Partnership deals surge as industry prepares for defence spending growth
Dozens of partnership agreements, joint ventures and industrial cooperation arrangements were announced at Eurosatory 2026, highlighting how defence companies are expanding production capacity, localising manufacturing and accelerating capability development in anticipation of rising defence spending.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: New public security needs drive personal protection equipment modernisation]()
Eurosatory 2026: New public security needs drive personal protection equipment modernisation
European law enforcement and public security agencies are entering a new cycle of investment in personal protection equipment (PPE), driven by evolving threat profiles, officer welfare requirements and advances in materials technology.
-
![The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement]()
The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement
European militaries face a rapidly evolving security landscape and defence production must accelerate to meet surging demand for platforms and equipment. Industry needs to adapt to ensure it gets its products into the hands of the end user, Evelyn Rafferty, Senior Director Aerospace and Defence - Europe at Plexus told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO’s eastern flank]()
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO’s eastern flank
Autonomous systems developer Milrem has evolved a model for an interoperable robotised approach to the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), showing how uncrewed systems could provide a multi-layered defence architecture in the air and on land along NATO’s eastern borders.
-
![Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities]()
Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities
Eurosatory 2026 will reflect a defence and security sector shaped by conflict, rising government spending, uncrewed systems, multidomain networks and growing demand for sovereign capabilities.
-
![Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP]()
Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP
The UK defence secretary’s departure suggests that the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan is unlikely to meet the funding demands of the armed forces, with consequences for procurement and the UK’s standing at a NATO summit weeks away.
