Defence and security technology: Company visit to Patria Group
Author: Janaleh Välimäki, International Club of Helsingin Ekonomit
Introduction
Last March, members of Helsinki Ekonomit gathered at the premises of Patria Group for a much-anticipated visit. The event, organised by the International Club of Helsin Ekonomit, offered participants an in-depth look at the company, the defence industry, signal intelligence products, and employee career paths — all in support of the club’s mission to broaden members’ understanding of international business in the defence industry, as well as insights finding a career in the industry.
Janne Muurinen, Patria’s Vice President of Public Affairs, opened the session by outlining Patria’s pivotal role in the defence sector and mapping the current industry landscape. Jukka-Pekka Pöyhtäri, Product Manager for Defence and Weapon Systems, then guided the audience through the intelligence business area, drilling down into signal intelligence capabilities and sharing insights from his own career at Patria.
Patria – defence and security with over 100 years of experience
Patria is a modern, internationally operating defence and security technology company with over a hundred years of experience. It is a joint venture between the Finnish state and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS, with operations spanning land, sea, air, and cyber domains across multiple countries. In Finland alone, Patria and its subsidiary Millog maintains more than 30 locations and continues to expand its global footprint.
The company’s business areas encompass Protected Mobility, Defence and Weapons Systems, and Sustainment Solutions — covering the supply and servicing of both traditional and cutting-edge equipment. Strategic partnerships with the Finnish Defence Forces, form the backbone of Patria’s operations. Most notably with the Finnish Defence Forces, as well as affiliated organisations such as Nammo AS, Millog Oy, and Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services.
Helsingin Ekonomit company visit to Patria Group
Industry landscape
The evolving geopolitical environment is reshaping the global security landscape and driving sustained growth in defence investment. As security climbs to the top of national agendas, Patria is well positioned to serve the European market, drawing on decades of operational experience and deep technical expertise. Defence spending generates broad economic benefits — increased sales, higher employment, and technological innovation among them — though market access remains subject to licensing requirements that are often tied to political considerations.
Multinational programmes such as the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) illustrate this collaborative dimension well. Spanning Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Norway, CAVS is designed around shared operational requirements. Patria’s role is distinctive: rather than supplying finished vehicles, the company transfers technological and manufacturing know-how, enabling local production in each partner country.
Advanced signal intelligence in complex environments
Effective intelligence gathering hinges on the ability to collect, interpret, and distribute diverse forms of data — imagery, audio, video, and electronic signals alike. Signal intelligence, in particular, focuses on the detection, collection, and analysis of radar and communications data. Patria’s systems are capable of detecting signals at extended ranges and high altitudes; these are then automatically processed to form continuous situation pictures or interpreted by specialists in dedicated operations centres and fed into shared databases. The company’s electronic intelligence solutions are recognized as best-in-class globally.
Working as a Product Manager in Patria
Jukka-Pekka Pöyhtäri described his role as sitting at the intersection of two equally demanding disciplines. On the technical side, he is involved in product development, innovation management, and cross-functional collaboration. On the commercial side, his focus shifts to market launches, customer acquisition, and the long-term management of client relationships. Photographs from recent industry events gave the audience a vivid sense of the teamwork involved in bringing live product demonstrations to life — and of the strong esprit de corps that characterises the Patria team.
Responsible operations
In keeping with the standards expected of leading Finnish companies, Patria is firmly committed to responsible business practices across environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and corporate governance. The company conducts its operations according to principles of high ethical standards, integrity, and transparency — values that underpin its reputation as a trusted partner in the global defence industry.
Read this and other member magazine articles in our digital magazine (in Finnish)!
