January 4, 2018

Finland’s Patria has contracted Swedish defense contractor Saab for work on the Finnish Navy Squadron 2000 mid-life upgrade program.

The contract awarded to Saab is worth SEK 960 million (approx. US$117.7 million) with deliveries set to start in 2018.

According to Patria, the total value of the upgrade contract, without options, is around 170 million euros (approx. US$204.6 million).

In addition to Saab’s systems, Patria will equip the Hamina-class craft with its new ASW training target system, which enables flexible and cost-effective anti-submarine warfare training.

Saab will supply the 9LV combat management system (CMS), the 9LV fire control system (FCS) including the Ceros 200 fire control director and the Trackfire remote weapon station (RWS).

Patria, as the prime contractor on the upgrade program, has also selected Saab’s TactiCall integrated communications system. A contract for TactiCall will be signed separately slightly later.

Saab further said it would supply its new lightweight torpedo to the Finnish Navy as part of the upgrade. Saab’s new lightweight torpedo, which the Royal Swedish Navy has also previously ordered, is an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) solution for littoral conditions.

The system 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, according to the company.

“Saab has been a supplier of cutting-edge naval systems to the Finnish Navy for many decades. We have yet again demonstrated that our solutions and expertise meet the requirements of the Finnish Navy and we look forward to further strengthening our cooperation with the Finnish Navy and defense industry,” said Anders Gardberg, director of Saab’s unit in Finland.

The 9LV CMS is used as command and control centre for many advanced surface vessels and submarines, providing naval forces with outstanding operational capabilities, supporting all mission types, from littorals to the open ocean. Ceros 200 is a radar and optronic tracking fire control director designed for use on naval ships.

Trackfire RWS 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 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,” said Pasi Niinikoski, president of Patria’s systems business unit.