Finland issues battle systems tender for Squadron 2020 vessels

The Finnish Defence Forces announced it is issuing a tender for a battle system that is to be supplied for its new Squadron 2020 ice-going offshore patrol vessels.

The department’s logistics command will send requests to 12 domestic and foreign companies to participate in the tendering.

After the February 2017 reply deadline, an invitation to negotiate and an invitation to tender will be sent to selected suppliers during spring, the announcement said.

The exact configuration of the battle system will be decided in the course of design but at least sea mines and missiles are likely to be included in the main weapon systems.

In September 2016, Finland signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Rauma-based shipbuilding company Rauma Marine Constructions for the construction of vessels.

Four Squadron 2020 vessels are designed to replace the Finnish Rauma-class fast-attack missile boats and Hämeenmaa-class minelayers that will reach the end of their life-cycle by the mid-2020s.

Finland plans to sign the shipbuilding contracts in 2019 while first naval engineering tests are scheduled for 2020. According to the plan the last ship should be handed over to the Finnish Defence Forces in 2024.