According to information published by the Finnish MoD on November 25, 2022, the Defence Forces will procure 57 mm munitions for use on the Navy’s vessels.
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Hämeenmaa-class minelayer FNS Hämeenmaa. (Picture source: Dvids)
The procurement is coordinated with Sweden so that the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command and the Swedish FMV (Försvarets Materielverk) purchase the same materiel at the same time, thus obtaining compatible munitions for the Finnish and Swedish navies at a lower price.
The supplier is BAE Systems Bofors AB, Sweden, the manufacturer of the Finnish Navy’s 57 mm artillery systems (57Mk3 and 57A).
The overall value of the procurement, without value added tax, is EUR 12.6 million. The procurement will complement the capabilities of the Navy’s surface combatants with regard to self-protection and air defence. The 57 mm artillery system is currently in use on Hämeenmaa-class minelayers, and the same system will be introduced for Pohjanmaa-class corvettes.
About the Hämeenmaa-class minelayers
The Hämeenmaa-class minelayers (Finnish: Hämeenmaa-luokan miinalaiva) is a two vessel strong class of coastal minelayers, used by the Finnish Navy.
The ships have a steel hull and aluminum alloy superstructure. The class has an ice operating classification of ICE-1A and can operate year-round in ice up to 40 cm thick. The design included some first attempts on stealth technology in the Finnish Navy.
The minelayers have a length of 77.8 m (255 ft), a beam of 11.6 m (38 ft), and a draught of 3.2 m (10 ft). They can reach a top speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).
The class of the ships is armed with Bofors 57 mm/70 Mk1, 8-cell Denel Umkhonto-IR VLS SAM system, two 12.7 mm machine guns, two H&K GMG grenade machineguns and RBU-1200 depth charge rocket launchers.
