Hamina class missile boat
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[edit] Introduction
The Hamina class missile boats (Finnish: Hamina-luokan ohjusvene) are a type of vessel in use by the Finnish Navy. It is also known as Rauma 2000 following its predecessor the Rauma class.
The Hamina is generally designated as a "fast attack craft", but because of the connotation of aggression in that name, the Finnish Defence Forces prefers names such as "fast patrol craft" or "fast surface combatant".
Nevertheless the Hamina packs a deadly force. Its aluminium/composite structure is designed with stealth in mind and equipped with latest in radar technology. It has electronically integrated combat management systems including equipment for electronic warfare. Modernized MTO-85m Surface-to-surface missiles and the Umkhonto Surface-to-air missiles provide the bulk of the crafts combat capability.
When all of the four vessels are finished they will form what the navy calls Squadron 2000 (Finnish: Laivue 2000). The navy went through severals plans on the combination of this squadron. At one point only two Hamina class vessels and four Tuuli class ACV were to be built. Due to the changes in the tasks of the Finnish Navy, the composition of the Squadron 2000 was changed. The succesful prototype of Tuuli has never been fully equipped nor taken to operational use, instead of three more HCs planned total of four Hamina-class has been built. The fourth and final Hamina class ship was delivered in summer 2006.
The squadron should reach its full operative capability in 2008 and will greatly improve the surface- and air patrol as well as air defense capacity. It will also increase the quality of information available for military leaders.
[edit] General specifications
- Designation: Fast Attack Craft - Missile
- Displacement: 250 tons
- Dimensions:
- Length: 51 m
- Width: 8.5 m
- Draft: 1.7 m
- Main engines: 2 * MTU 16V 538 TB93 diesels; 6600 kW
- Propulsion: 2 * Kamewa 90SII waterjets
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Range: 500 miles
- Armament:
- 1 * Bofors 40 mm/70 Sea Trinity (Bofors 57 mm/70 SAK Mk3 on Hanko & Tornio. Hamina will be retro-fitted))
- 2 * NSV 12,7 mm MGs
- 8-cell Denel Umkhonto-IR VLS SAM system
- 4 * Saab RBS-15 Mk3 SSM (2 * Sako twin-barrel 23 mm/87 (modified ZU-23-2) can be fitted instead of missiles)
- 4 * Saab Elma LLS-920 9-tube ASW mortars
- 1 rail for depth charges or mines (Sea Mine 2000)
- Countermeasures:
- Decoys: Philax chaff and IR flares
- Smoke system: Lacroix ATOS
- EMS: Thales Matilda radar warning system
- Electronics:
- Crew: 26
- Yard: Aker Finnyards Rauma, Finland
[edit] Vessels
| Name | Pennant | Builder | Ordered | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Home port | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finnish Navy | ||||||||
| Hamina | 80 (ex-74) | Aker Finnyards | December, 1996 | August 24, 1998 | Upinniemi | Active | ||
| Tornio | 81 | Aker Finnyards | February 15, 2001 | May 12, 2003 | Upinniemi | Active | ||
| Hanko | 82 | Aker Finnyards | December 3, 2003 | June 22, 2005 | Upinniemi | Active | ||
| Pori | 83 | Aker Finnyards | February 15, 2005 | June 19, 2006 | Upinniemi | Active | ||
[edit] References
- Finnish Defence Forces Website of The Finnish Defence Forces
- Aker Finnyards Website of Aker Finnyards
