PANAGYURISHTE (Bulgaria), January 04, 2018, Author: Boyko Nikolov (Bm), Photo: Pinterest

Patria has signed an agreement with the Finnish Defence Forces on the mid-life upgrade and overhaul of the Finnish Defence Forces’ Hamina Class fast attack craft. The procurement is part of the Naval Capability Development Programme, based on which the overhaul of Hamina Class vessels will ensure continued naval defence capabilities in the period between the decommissioning of Rauma Class fast attack craft and the commissioning of Squadron 2020 corvettes during the 2020s. The total value of the delivery contract, without options, is around 170 million euros (excluding VAT). The estimated employment effect of the programme in Finland will be around 300 person-years.

Patria will act as the prime contractor, designer and lead system integrator having the overall responsibility for the project. The delivery includes a number of sensor, weapon and communication systems, system upgrades, as well as ship technical modifications and overhauls. In addition to extending the lifecycle of the attack craft, their anti-submarine warfare capability is enhanced. Related to the new capabilities, Patria will equip the Hamina Class craft with its new, innovative ASW Training Target system, which enables flexible and cost-effective anti-submarine warfare training.

As part of the extensive supply chain management effort involved, Patria also signed the most significant subcontracts related to combat management system (CMS), torpedo and sensor systems with Saab AB and ship technical work with Oy Western Shipyard Ltd.

“The Hamina Class mid-life upgrade is a large effort, which has been planned in close cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces. We have strong expertise and capabilities for leading and implementing challenging and extensive system integration projects as a prime contractor. We were also responsible for the successful Rauma Class fast attack craft mid-life upgrade project,” says Pasi Niinikoski, President of Patria’s Systems Business Unit.