Finland's Nammo Lapua Oy officially started production at its newly acquired ammunition facility in Sastamala, located in the province of Western Finland.

The factory, which is specialized in production of metal components for artillery and mortar ammunition, was acquired from Patria Oy under an agreement signed last November.

"The capability of the Sastamala facility fits very well into Nammo's artillery and mortar ammunition activities, and in parallel we secure that the competence (in ammunition production) remains in Finland," said Erkki Makelaä, site manager for Nammo Lapua Oy. "We are very happy to announce the official launch of the production line today (Jan. 12)."

Nammo Lapua Oy is a subsidiary of the Nammo Group, a Norwegian and Finnish company headquartered in Norway and with subsidiaries in Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia.

A ceremony to mark the official start at the factory under its new owner was attended by representatives of Finland's Ministry of Defense and other dignitaries.