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A computer generated image of the Finnish Navy's future 'Squadron 2020' ('Laivue 2020') offshore patrol vessel. Four will be brought into service, to replace seven ships being withdrawn. Source: Finnish MoD
Key Points
- The Finnish defence ministry has authorised the commencement of work on the navy's 'Squadron 2020' future OPVs
- The ships are likely to be constructed by local shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions
The project will cost about EUR1.2 billion (USD1.35 billion). The MoD has signed agreements with local shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) with a view to the company being likely to build the four new warships for the navy. These agreements have specified conditions to be met. The whole process (from design to commissioning) will be overseen by the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command (FDFLC), as the navy's equipment purchaser.
The FDFLC has stipulated that the vessels must be designed and then built domestically. RMC is the only major Finnish-owned yard that has the capacity to build and maintain surface combatants of the size of the OPVs. As IHS Jane's has previously reported, the new platforms will displace about 2,500 tonnes.
The combat system selection remains undecided, but a tender competition will be opened before 2017. Weaponry for the platforms is likely to focus on mines and missiles, reflecting the equipment make-up of existing Finnish Navy platforms.
The request for information (RfI) issued by the MoD for 'Squadron 2020' attracted responses from more than 80 Finnish and foreign companies.
FDFLC has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with RMC, subject to an independent report by KPMG assessing RMC's ability to fulfill all specified procurement preconditions relating to security and supply in addition to those pertaining to capacity. KPMG will hand over its report to the FDFLC prior to the actual planning contract being awarded.
Captain Veli-Pekka Heinonen, Chief of the Maritime Systems Division at the Joint Systems Center in the FDFLC and responsible for delivery of the 'Squadron 2020' project, told IHS Jane's that, "'Squadron 2020' has high value in the national security of supply.
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http://www.janes.com/article/64313/finland-authorises-work-to-begin-on-squadron-2020-opvs
