Finland begins Squadron 2020 OPV programme
Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
04 October 2015
Concept image of the Finnish Navy's planned new 'Laivue 2020' (Squadron 2020) vessels, four of which will replace the country's existing Rauma-class and Hämeenmaa-class vessels. Source: Finnish MoD
Finland has begun its 'Laivue 2020' (Squadron 2020) programme to build a new class of four multipurpose offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
The new vessels are intended to replace the Finnish Navy's four Rauma-class fast-attack missile boats, and its two Hämeenmaa-class minelayers. Both of these classes are planned to be retired in the mid-2020s, as their service life "cannot be extended in a cost-efficient way", according to the Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Speaking to
IHS Jane's on 1 October, a spokesperson for the MoD stated, "The exact timing of the different milestones will be determined in the course of the programme, but as the first stage, an RFI [request for information] is foreseen to be issued in 2015-2016. Construction of the ships is foreseen in the years 2019-2024."
The new Laivue 2020 vessels are intended to be truly multirole, with anti-surface, anti-submarine, anti-air, and mine-laying capabilities in the Baltic Sea. The vessels are also intended to be able to take part in international crisis management missions.
The MoD estimates that building the new vessels will cost EUR1.2 billion (USD1.34 billion).
http://www.janes.com/article/54985/finland-begins-squadron-2020-opv-programme
Huomatkaa laivojen OPV-luokittelu. Vapaasti käännettynä merkitsee Ulkomeri vartiovenettä, jollainen Suomella on jo entuudestaan
ulkovartiolaiva Turvan muodossa. Ilmeisesti OPV:n ja korvetin raja on varsin häilyvä? Mitähän nimitystä itse tulemme käyttämään näistä?