Finland Buys 18 Amphibious Boats and Air Defense Systems for 133 Million Euros

Finland is purchasing 18 new amphibious boats and short-range air defense systems in a 133 million euro effort to strengthen its military capabilities.

The Finnish Defense Forces have signed a 25.2 million euro contract with domestic company Marine Alutech for next-generation Jurmo-class boats for the Navy. Each vessel will measure 14 meters and draw only about one meter, allowing it to carry troops and supplies through Finland’s archipelago, which includes about 40,000 islands and islets.

The Army said the acquisition would increase and secure coastal forces’ ability to move around the archipelago. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027 and finish before the end of 2029.

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The acquisition of these boats will increase and secure the ability of the Navy’s coastal forces to move through the archipelago.

The boat contract follows a deal with Swedish defense company Saab for RBS 70 NG short-range air defense systems worth 1.2 billion Swedish kronor, or 107.8 million euros. Saab says the missile systems can engage targets at effective ranges of up to 9,000 meters and altitudes of up to 5,000 meters. They include laser-guided missiles designed to resist interference, automatic target tracking and integrated night capability.

Finland’s government said in June that it planned to increase annual defense spending from 7.7 billion euros to more than 14 billion euros over the next three years. The government linked the planned increase to the Russian threat in the context of the war in Ukraine, taking spending well above NATO’s 3.5% of GDP target. “We are proud to continue supporting the Finnish Defence Forces and contributing to the security of its national airspace,” Saab executive Görgen Johansson said.

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We are proud to continue supporting the Finnish Defence Forces and contributing to the security of its national airspace.