Strengthening the Finnish Navy’s operational capability
As part of the Finnish Naval Capability Development Programme, the Finnish Defence Forces have just contracted Patria to carry out the mid-life upgrade (MLU) and overhaul of the HAMINA-class fast attack craft (FAC), which will ensure continued naval defence capabilities in the period between the decommissioning of RAUMA-class FAC and the commissioning of Squadron 2020 corvettes during the 2020s.
For a total value contract of €170million (excluding VAT), Patria will act as the prime contractor, designer and lead system integrator on the project. In this capacity, it has contracted Saab for the supply of the 9LV combat management system (CMS), the 9LV Fire Control System (FCS) and Saab’s New Lightweight Torpedo, torpedo systems, documentation, training and support. A separate contract for TactiCall will be signed slightly later.
“9LV’s open-architecture design allows seamless integration of Saab’s solutions as well as third-party sensors, weapons and systems. We will provide the HAMINA-class vessels with a world-class naval system, further strengthening the Finnish Navy’s operational capability,” says Anders Carp, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.
The 9LV FCS will include the CEROS 200 fire control director and the TRACKFIRE Remote Weapon Station (RWS), which provides the hit performance required to engage threats effectively under all conditions. Saab’s integrated communications system TactiCall interconnects communication technologies regardless of radio band, frequency or hardware.
The Finnish Defence Forces will be the second customer for Saab’s New Lightweight Torpedo System, after the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) placed an order back in May 2016 for the development and production of the system for the Royal Swedish Navy. Saab’s Lightweight Torpedo System is a flexible, advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) solution for littoral conditions. As a flexible system, it can be launched from surface ships, aircraft and submarines in anti-submarine and anti-surface roles. It works equally well in both littoral and blue waters and in cold, warm and brackish conditions.
“This first export order on our new torpedo is a milestone for us and our underwater business. With this order, the Finnish Navy will have the most sophisticated torpedo system available on the market. The torpedo´s wire control system enables operator support, allowing commanders to engage targets in close vicinity of friendly units as well as in narrow spaces. The new torpedo system will give the Finnish Defence Forces a whole new strength,” Görgen Johansson, Senior Vice President and head of Saab´s Business Area Dynamics, concludes.
The total value of the contract for Saab (excluding the TactiCall system, for which there will be a separate contract) is SEK960 million (€97.7million), and deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2018.
