Germany may buy Finnish combat boats, but no decision has been announced

Germany may be preparing to buy 15 Finnish combat boats, but the company reportedly selected by a German defense news site says it has not been informed of any decision.

Hartpunkt, a German website covering defense and security policy, reported that Finnish manufacturer Marine Alutech had won the competition for the German order. The site cited anonymous sources and said Germany was expected to purchase Watercat M18 AMC boats.

Marine Alutech told Helsingin Sanomat that the report came as a surprise and that it had no information about a selection. The company did confirm, however, that it is taking part in the German armed forces’ competition. No official announcement has been made.

The original German tender described the purchase as urgent. The boats therefore need to be an existing market model already in service in at least one NATO member or partner country. Finland’s navy operates 12 combat boats based on the Watercat M18 AMC, known domestically as Jehu. The boats are used by coastal jaeger units. Marine Alutech has also sold two Jehus to Latvia.

Germany’s final choice is expected this autumn. The Swedish-made Saab CB90 is also competing. The German navy plans to use the boats to improve the mobility of its Seebataillon, or marine infantry, in landing, evacuation and patrol operations and for protecting ports. The battalion protects naval vessels, bases and coastal facilities, and can also conduct vessel inspections, explosive-clearance and evacuation missions. It forms a joint landing force with the Dutch Marine Corps.