Finnish Navy on the eve of joining NATO
Finland, for economic and political reasons, has never had a strong military fleet. However, a country with a coastline of about 1 km, one way or another, was forced to maintain the minimum number of naval forces necessary to protect the maritime border and protect coastal areas.
According to reference data, about 6 people (together with civilian personnel) serve in the Finnish Navy. Of these, up to 700 people directly on ships and in port infrastructure. Approximately the same number are coastal defense forces and marines. About half of the personnel on the ships are career sailors. The coastal units are staffed by 1% conscripts. In a threatened period and in wartime, more than 600 reservists can be called up, who are mainly planned to be used in coastal defense.
The headquarters of the Finnish fleet is located in the city of Turku, two naval commands are subordinate to it: the command of the Archipelago Sea and the command of the Gulf of Finland, which in peacetime are entrusted with the tasks of protecting territorial waters, coasts and protecting shipping.
The main bases for Finnish ships are the ports of Turku, Pansio, Upinniemi and Espoo. The surface forces include three combat squadrons and a support squadron.
In general, the relatively small Finnish Navy is armed with fairly modern and efficient warships and boats, as well as coastal artillery and missile systems. The staff is highly motivated and well trained.
Marines and Coastal Defense Troops
The command of the Finnish Navy has at its disposal the Nyland Coastal Defense Brigade, also known as the Uusimaa Brigade, which consists of two battalions. Until 1998, this military unit was subordinate to the command of the Ground Forces. The headquarters of the brigade is located in the city of Dragsvik.
The Coastal Jaeger Battalion "Vaasa" has a company of "Coast Jaegers" (marines) equipped with a rifle weapons and hand grenade launchers, as well as a heavy weapons company with anti-tank systems and 81-mm mortars. This battalion also includes reconnaissance and sabotage groups.
The Tammisaari Coastal Battalion is a heavy weapons, engineering and communications battalion. There are 120-mm mortars for fire support of the marines, long-range anti-tank systems can be used against armored vehicles and surface targets.
The main task of the "coastal rangers" is the active defense of the Finnish coast. For the transfer of personnel and weapons, high-speed landing craft and inflatable boats are used.
In the past, Finnish coastal defense units have relied mainly on well-engineered long-term gun emplacements and artillery. For example, turret mounts with a 100-mm D-10 gun, known as 100 56 TK, are widely used.
Turret artillery installation 100 56 TK on the island of Kuivasaari
In the second half of the 1960s, Finland acquired 56 towers from the USSR tanks T-55 without stabilizers. After that, Finnish specialists equipped them with additional equipment for firing at visually unobservable targets, and the towers themselves were installed on concrete bases, under which there were cellars with shells and living quarters. There were also rangefinder posts and means of communication. The first artillery battery entered service in 1969. A total of 14 batteries were built, each with four 100 56 TK turrets.
To prevent water condensate and the metal corrosion caused by it, the inner surface of the towers was treated with a special asbestos-cork mixture. In the mid-1980s, the 100 56 TK stationary turret upgrade program began, during which they were equipped with laser rangefinders, new ballistic computers and night vision devices. Some towers have received a polymeric thermal insulation coating, making them look like coastal boulders.
At the moment, all 100 56 TK installations have been dismantled or mothballed. The last combat training firing of the battery covering the approaches to the Upinniemi naval base took place in 2012.
In 1984, a Finnish-made 130 130 TK stationary 53-mm artillery mount, designed for ammunition from the Soviet M-46 towed gun, entered service.
130 mm coastal gun mount 130 53 TK
The 130-mm coastal turret used advanced technical solutions at that time: automated loading, a laser rangefinder, a computer fire control system and a thermal imaging sight.
At the first stage, the Finnish version of the Soviet high-explosive fragmentation grenade 53-OF-482 weighing 33,4 kg, equipped with 3,64 kg of TNT, with a firing range of more than 26 km, was used. In the 1990s, a semi-armor-piercing projectile was introduced into the ammunition load, capable of hitting targets at a distance of 30 km, as well as fragmentation projectiles with air detonation. The combat rate of fire is 6 rds / min. Calculation - 10 people. According to information published in open sources, as of 2016, there were three dozen 130 53 TK installations in service.
In addition to stationary artillery turrets, coastal defense under the designation 130 K 54 used towed 130-mm Soviet-made M-46 guns, which, in addition to naval targets, could strike at the enemy who landed on land. Finland bought 144 130mm guns from the Soviet Union in 1965, and received 166 more of these artillery systems from Germany in 1993.
130 mm gun 130 K 54
In the 1960s, the M-46 was one of the most long-range towed guns of medium caliber. The hull gun weighing about 7 kg could throw a 700-kg projectile at 33,4 km. As of 27, there were 2016 36 K 130 guns in service, which were put into reserve in 54.
For radar reconnaissance, guidance of artillery firing and target designation of cross-country missile systems, compact BOR-A 550 radars manufactured by Thales Group are used, with a detection range of surface targets up to 40 km.
This station, designed to detect ground and surface targets, combined with an optoelectronic surveillance system, can be transported by light off-road vehicles and carried over a short distance by personnel.
In 1988, Finland purchased RBS 15SF missiles from Sweden with a range of more than 70 km for its missile boats and coastal defense systems. Then improved RBS 15SFII missiles were received. Finnish anti-ship missiles were brought up to the RBS 2002SFIII standard in 15, after which the target engagement range was significantly increased. The hardware of the combat control systems, as well as radars, was also upgraded, and the updated ones received the designation MtO 85M.
Model RBS RBS 15
Experts note the good noise immunity of active radar homing missiles developed by Saab Bofors Dynamics, originally intended for use in the specific conditions of the Baltic Sea. RBS 15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles are capable of hitting high-speed small-sized surface targets in the open sea, skerries, bases and near the coast. The curb weight of the rocket with launch boosters is 800 kg. The mass of the warhead is 200 kg. Length - 4 350 mm. Hull diameter - 500 m. Firing range - up to 200 km. Turbojet engine Microturbo TR60-5 provides speed up to 960 km/h.
Self-propelled launcher of coastal anti-ship complex MtO 85M
The MtO 85M battery consists of six platoons: headquarters, control, two firing, security, repair and maintenance. The battery is equipped with a 9CSI 600 STINA CICS, as well as a 9KR 400 target detection and tracking radar. .
To combat boats and amphibious landing craft, the Finnish coastal defense forces have two dozen Spike-ER ATGMs with a firing range of 8 m.
This Israeli complex is quite heavy and is usually transported on quad bikes. The launcher with the control unit weighs 30 kg. The missile weighing 34 kg is equipped with a powerful cumulative fragmentation warhead with armor penetration of more than 1 mm.
Surface forces
After the end of World War II, Finland was forbidden to have submarines and torpedo boats, and the number of guns in coastal defense was limited to 140 units. In the 1950s, some concessions were made, after which coastal artillery was strengthened again, boats, minesweepers and small artillery ships were built at national enterprises, and ships were also purchased from the USSR and Great Britain.
At present, missile boats armed with RBS 15 anti-ship missiles have the main strike potential in the Finnish Navy. Four Rauma-class boats and four Hamina-class boats are in service.
Rauma missile boat
Rauma-class boats were built at the Finnyards shipyard between 1990 and 1992. Boats with an aluminum alloy hull have good maneuverability and are capable of operating in shallow water.
The displacement of the boat is 210 tons, length - 48,5 m, hull width - 8 m, draft - 1,5 m. Speed - more than 30 knots. The main armament of the ship is six Swedish-made anti-ship missiles. For self-defense, the boat has a 40-mm machine gun and two anti-aircraft machine guns. There is an echo sounder and two Elma ASW-600 jet bombers, it is also possible to load dropped depth charges.
Rauma-class missile boats were upgraded in 2010–2013. However, soon after that, cracks were found in the hulls of the boats, which is associated with metal fatigue. Currently, boats of this type are still part of the Finnish Navy, but they are planned to be decommissioned in the near future.
Boats of the Hamina type were handed over to the customer in 1998–2006. Like the previous model, the hull of the boat is made of aluminum alloys. Upper structures made of composite materials reinforced with carbon fiber, which reduces radar visibility. The displacement is 250 tons, length - 51 m, width - 8,5 m, draft - 1,7 m. Speed - more than 30 knots.
Hamina missile boat
Weapons control and control over the surface, underwater and air situation is carried out by the TACTICOS CICS manufactured by Thales Nederland. Hamina-class boats are equipped with TRS-3D fire control radar, ARPA maritime radar and Signal Scout I maritime surveillance radar. Simrad Subsea Toadfish active high-frequency echo sounder and Sonac towed echo sounder can be used to search for submarines.
The main weapon is four anti-ship missiles RBS 15 Mk3. In addition, there is a 57 mm automatic cannon, two 12,7 mm machine guns and South African-made Umkhonto anti-aircraft missiles with a range of up to 14 km.
Finnish naval commanders pay great attention to protecting the coast and blocking the approach paths of enemy warships with the help of sea mines. Three minelayers of the Pansio type and two Hämeenmaa, built in the early 1990s, are intended for this.
Ships of the Pansio type with a displacement of 608 tons have a length of 43 m, a width of 10 m, a draft of 2 m. Speed is 11 knots. On board there is a crane with a lifting capacity of 15 tons. In total, the ship can take 50 sea mines or other cargo, which allows it to be used for military transportation and supplying ships. Defensive armament is represented by a 40-mm machine gun (according to other sources - a 23-mm twin) and machine guns of 7,62-12,7 mm caliber.
Pansio-type minelayer
Ships of this type were overhauled in 2015–2017. After that, their service life was extended by 15 years.
Minelayers of the Hämeenmaa type are capable of operating in the presence of ice in the water area, and the lead ship is the flagship of the Finnish fleet.
Minelayer Hämeenmaa
Along with laying mines, they are capable of performing the functions of an escort, transport and supply. With a length of 77,8 and a width of 11,5 m, the Hämeenmaa mine layer has a displacement of 1 tons. The draft is 450 m. The speed is 3 knots. The ship can take up to 20 naval mines. To combat submarines, there are two RBU-150 jet bombers and the ability to use dropped depth charges.
Both minzags were modernized in 2006–2008. During the modernization, the ships received new fire control systems Saab 9LV325E, EADS TRS3D-16ES surveillance radar, Kongsberg ST240 and Simrad SS2030 sonar. The 40-mm Bofors artillery mount was replaced by a 57-mm AU of the same company, the container launcher for 6 Mistral anti-aircraft missiles was replaced by UVP for 8 Umkhonto missiles.
After modernization, Finnish minelayers are capable of performing a wide range of tasks: reconnaissance, minelaying, anti-submarine defense. As part of European military cooperation, these ships monitor the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation.
The oldest in the Finnish Navy are the six minesweepers of the Kuha type, built in 1974-1975.
Kuha-class minesweeper
These minesweepers with a displacement of 90 tons are made of fiberglass reinforced plastic, which reduces the likelihood of explosions on mines that react to the magnetic field of the ship. The length of the minesweeper is 26,6 m, the width is 6,9 m, the draft is 2 m, the speed is 11 knots. There is a 23-mm machine gun for shooting floating mines. Additionally, a 12,7 mm machine gun can be installed. The Kuha-class minesweepers underwent an upgrade in the late 1990s, when they were lengthened and their anti-mine equipment was updated.
Six newer Kiiski-type minesweepers with a fiberglass hull were transferred to the fleet between 1983 and 1985. They are designed to ensure the mine safety of naval bases.
Kiiski-class minesweeper
With a displacement of 20 tons, their length is 16 m, width - 4 m, draft - 1,3 m. Speed - 11 knots. Armament - one 12,7 mm machine gun.
The youngest anti-mine ships in the Finnish Navy are three minesweepers of the Katanpää type, built in Italy for 245 million euros and entered service in 2012-2016. Shortly after the transfer of the ships to the Finnish Navy, technical shortcomings were identified, which Intermarine SpA eliminated at its own expense.
Minesweeper Katanpää
The ship with a displacement of 680 tons has a length of 57 m, a width of 9,87 m, a draft of 3,1 m. Speed is 13 knots. Armament - 40 mm cannon.
Thanks to good seaworthiness and autonomy, Katanpää-type minesweepers are able to operate at a considerable distance from their home base. They are equipped with state-of-the-art mine clearance equipment and can survey the seabed.
The Finnish Navy also operates more than 30 training, support vessels and relatively large boats for various purposes. For example, squadron commanders have at their disposal four Syöksy-type crew boats with a displacement of 19 tons, a length of 14 m and a width of 4,5 m, which are capable of speeds up to 30 knots. For self-defense, a 12,7-mm machine gun can be installed on the boat.
Boat type Syöksy
In the interests of the coastal defense forces, three self-propelled flat-bottomed barges of the Kampela type are operating, capable of transporting light armored vehicles, vehicles and various cargoes.
The vessel with a total displacement of 260 tons has a length of 32,5 m, a width of 8 m, a draft of 1,5 m. Speed is 9 knots.
From the early 1970s to the late 1990s, Marine Alutech produced 24 Uisko-class landing craft in several series. The boats of the first series had a plywood hull and have already been decommissioned.
Uisco-class landing craft
Displacement of the boat - 10,5 tons. Length - 11 m. Width - 3,5 m. Draft - 1 m. Speed - up to 35 knots. The boat can accommodate 30 fully equipped marines. If necessary, an 81-mm mortar, 40-mm automatic grenade launcher or 12,7-mm machine gun is mounted.
The 38 landing craft of the Jurmo type (another designation is Uisko 600) built by Marine Alutech are quite modern.
Jurmo-class landing craft
The boat with a displacement of 14,5 tons has a length of 14,2 meters, a width of 3,65 meters and is capable of carrying 20 people. Speed - 35 knots. For fire support of the landing, a 12,7-mm machine gun or a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher can be mounted.
In 2012, an order was placed for 12 Jehu-type multi-purpose boats, with a total value of 34 million euros. The length of the boat is 19,9 m, the width is 4,3 m, the draft is 1,1 m. The total displacement is 32 tons. The maximum speed is more than 40 knots.
The hull of the boat is made of corrosion-resistant light alloy, and the deck structures are made of composite materials, which provides a level of ballistic protection that matches the security of the Patria Pasi armored personnel carrier.
It is possible to transport 25 fully equipped fighters. In addition to landing operations, the Jehu-class boat can be converted into a headquarters command post or used to evacuate the wounded.
In 2022, Kewatec AluBoat delivered the first Utö-class multi-purpose boat, designed to support the activities of the Navy and the transfer of coastal defense forces.
Utö type boat
With a displacement of about 22 tons, the boat can carry a load of 14 tons. Length - 19,2 m. Width - 5,3 m. Draft - 0,8 m. Speed - 25 knots.
Prospects for the development of the Finnish Navy and coastal defense forces
On the eve of joining NATO, Finland has adopted a program to strengthen the fleet and antiamphibious defense forces. In the near future, coastal units may receive Spike NLOS missile systems with a range of 25 km on a self-propelled chassis, which will fill the gap between the RBS 15 Mk3 long-range anti-ship missiles and the Spike-ER anti-tank systems, the main purpose of which is to fight landing craft and amphibians.
Finland is also looking for a new anti-ship missile with an over-the-horizon firing range, which will have a significantly higher flight speed than the RBS 15, and the ability to deploy both on ships and on land. However, the choice has not yet been made.
As part of the Laivue 2020 project, it is planned to build four Ostrobothnia-class multi-purpose corvettes, which will replace Rauma-class missile boats and Hämeenmaa-class minesweepers, as well as the already retired minesweeper Ostrobothnia. The new ships are to be commissioned between 2022 and 2027. The total cost of the Laivue 2020 project is 1,2 billion euros. According to the schedule, tests of the head corvette should begin in 2024. In 2022–2024 nine Utö-type multi-purpose boats will also be purchased for the Navy.
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