Marine security

Finland authorises work to begin on 'Squadron 2020' OPVs

The Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has given its mandate to start work on the 'Squadron 2020' (or 'Laivue 2020') future offshore patrol vessel (OPV) project.

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.