The Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command announced the names of three shortlisted combat system bidders for its Squadron 2020 project vessels.
Of a total of 8 companies competing for the contract, Finland has chosen German Atlas Elektronik GmbH, the Canadian Lockheed Martin Canada Inc and the Swedish Saab Ab for further consideration.
The Logistics Command will send the selected companies an invitation to negotiate and a preliminary invitation to tender in early summer 2017. This will start a negotiation phase at the end of which, in the course of 2018, a procurement contract will be signed.
The combat system to be delivered will consist of weapons, sensors, and command and control systems and their integration.
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.
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.