Finnish Navy

Locations

• Navy Command headquarters: Heikkilä (Pihlajaniemi), Turku

• Naval depot: Pansio, Turku, and Kimito

Bases

Coastal Brigade

Coastal Fleet

Nyland Brigade

Naval Academy

Finnish Navy bases

• Coastal Brigade: Upinniemi, Kirkkonummi
• Coastal Fleet: Pansio, Turku
  • Headquarters: Pansio
  • 4th Mine Countermeasures Squadron
    • Mine countermeasure vessels: Katanpää, Purunpää, Vahterpää
    • Home Defence Forces minesweeping group Sääksi (Kuha and Kiiski classes)
  • 6th Surface Warfare Squadron
    • Minelayers: Uusimaa, Pansio
    • Missile boats: Rauma class
  • 7th Surface Warfare Squadron: Upinniemi
    • Minelayer: Hämeenmaa
    • Missile boats: Hamina class
    • Minelayers: Porkkala, Pyhäranta
  • 8th Service Support Squadron: Pansio and Upinniemi
    • Transport units
    • Support Company (including military police, logistics, harbour, and materiel elements)
    • Home Defence Forces protection company
• Nyland Brigade: Dragsvik, Ekenäs
• Naval Academy: Suomenlinna, Helsinki

Mobilization strength

The Finnish Navy has a wartime strength of approximately 31,500 personnel.

Independent Finland

The first vessels acquired by the Finnish Navy after independence consisted primarily of obsolete ships left behind by Russian forces during the Finnish Civil War and vessels that had been unable to evacuate to Kronstadt during the Ice Cruise of the Baltic Fleet. As a result, the navy of the late 1910s and early 1920s comprised a small and heterogeneous fleet. This included the gunboats Klas Horn, Matti Kurki, Turunmaa, and Karjala, six S-class torpedo boats, eight C-class torpedo boats, the minelayer Louhi, several minesweepers, and five T-class minelaying boats. In addition to these warships, numerous auxiliary and support vessels were also inherited.

Germany transferred two netlayers, Hämeenmaa and Uusimaa, to Finland. These vessels formed the core of the Finnish Navy until the commissioning of the coastal defence ships in the 1930s.

Under the terms of the Treaty of Tartu in 1920, Finland was required to return part of the naval materiel it had taken into service. This included three S-class torpedo boats (S3, S4, and S6), the minesweepers Altair, Mikula, MP 7, MP 11, Ahvola, and T 12, as well as fifteen tugs, four transport vessels, and 54 motorboats. Finland also lost three C-class torpedo boats (C1, C2, and C3) during operations supporting the British intervention in the Baltic Sea. The vessels remained trapped in ice during the winter, and ice pressure caused irreparable damage. All three were subsequently scuttled. The remaining C-class torpedo boats were thereafter placed in reserve. In 1927, following several years of planning and debate, and influenced in part by the loss of the torpedo boat S2 in heavy seas in October 1925, the Parliament of Finland approved a naval rearmament programme. This programme included the construction of two coastal defence ships and four submarines. Motor torpedo boats were also acquired from the United Kingdom and domestic shipyards, and additional minesweepers were built. The training ship Suomen Joutsen was also acquired.

World War II

At the outbreak of World War II, the Finnish Navy remained relatively small. Several planned vessels had not yet been completed, and wartime economic constraints delayed ongoing shipbuilding programmes.

The Finnish Navy operated the following vessels in the Baltic Sea:

• Two coastal defence ships: Ilmarinen and Väinämöinen
• Five submarines: Vesihiisi, Iku-Turso, Vetehinen, Vesikko, and Saukko
• Four gunboats: Turunmaa, Karjala, Uusimaa, and Hämeenmaa
• Seven motor torpedo boats: two Sisu class, one Isku class, and four Syöksy class
• One minelayer: Louhi
• Eight minesweepers: six Ahven class and two Rautu class
• One training ship: Suomen Joutsen

On Lake Ladoga, naval forces included:

• Icebreaker Aallokas
• Gunboat Aunus
• Minelayer Yrjö
• Tug Vakava
• Motor boats S 1 and N. K. af Klercker

In addition, the navy operated various auxiliary vessels, including armed merchantmen, icebreakers, and patrol craft, many of which were requisitioned or converted for military use.

Continuation War

Main article: Baltic Sea campaigns (1939–1945)

See also: Finnish Ladoga Naval Detachment and Naval Detachment K

Prior to the outbreak of the Continuation War in June 1941, Finland ordered five additional motor torpedo boats from Italy. The Soviet naval base established at the Hanko Peninsula following the Winter War divided Finnish naval operating areas and posed a significant strategic constraint. Coastal artillery positions at Russarö and Osmussaar guarded minefields controlling access to the eastern Gulf of Finland.

At the start of hostilities, extensive minefields were laid in cooperation with Germany and the Kriegsmarine. Finnish coastal defence ships provided artillery support during operations against the Soviet base at Hanko, which was evacuated by Soviet forces in December 1941.^[2] Between 1941 and 1945, a total of 69,779 mines and mine-related obstacles were laid in the Gulf of Finland by Finnish, German, and Soviet forces. Of these, Soviet forces laid 16,179 mines and 2,441 obstacles, Finland laid 6,382 mines, and German forces laid approximately 45,000 mines, including about 3,000 magnetic mines. Mine clearance operations continued after the war, with the final major minesweeping season conducted in 1957. Mine hazards persisted for many years thereafter, and unexploded World War II-era mines remain in the Baltic Sea.^[3] The Finnish Navy's greatest single loss occurred on 13 September 1941, when the coastal defence ship Ilmarinen struck a mine and sank, resulting in the deaths of 271 crew members; 132 survived. Many survivors were subsequently reassigned to naval units on Lake Onega, which operated a variety of older and captured vessels.

In 1942, naval operations focused largely on anti-submarine warfare. Finnish and German forces sought to prevent Soviet submarines from entering the Baltic Sea. Although initial mine barriers proved insufficient, Soviet submarines nonetheless suffered significant losses. Soviet submarines sank 18 merchant vessels, including seven Finnish ships, while Finnish and German anti-submarine forces sank 12 Soviet submarines, three of which were destroyed by Finnish submarines. To further restrict Soviet submarine access, anti-submarine nets were installed between Naissaar and Porkkala after the spring thaw of 1942. This barrier, combined with extensive minefields, effectively confined Soviet naval operations to the eastern Gulf of Finland until late 1944, when Soviet forces regained access following Finland’s armistice with the Soviet Union.

In April 1942, Finnish forces captured the strategically important island of Gogland. In July 1942, Soviet forces attempted to recapture the nearby island of Sommers in the Gulf of Finland, but the attack failed. Soviet losses included several small vessels and 128 personnel killed, while 102 Soviet soldiers were taken prisoner. During 1943, the Finnish Navy received 14 new motor torpedo boats, which replaced older pre-war vessels.

In 1944, during the Soviet major offensive against Finland, the Finnish Navy supported ground operations in the Gulf of Vyborg. Facing overwhelming Soviet superiority, Finnish naval forces were eventually compelled to withdraw.

Cold War

During the 1950s and 1960s, the Finnish Navy replaced much of its wartime fleet. In line with Finland's policy of neutrality, naval procurement was balanced between Western and Soviet suppliers, while domestic shipbuilding was also developed.

From the United Kingdom, Finland acquired the Bay-class frigate Matti Kurki for training purposes, two Dark-class fast patrol boats (Vasama 1 and Vasama 2), and four BYMS-class minesweepers. From the Soviet Union, Finland acquired two Riga-class frigates (Hämeenmaa and Uusimaa) and four Tuima-class missile boat missile boats, based on the Osa II-class design. Domestically, Finland constructed several vessels, including the two Turunmaa-class gunboats (Turunmaa and Karjala) and the Nuoli-class gunboat.

The Paris Peace Treaty of 1947 imposed restrictions on the Finnish Defence Forces, including limits on naval strength. The navy was restricted to a maximum displacement of 10,000 tons and personnel strength of 4,500. Certain weapon systems, including submarines, torpedoes, mines, and missiles, were prohibited. These restrictions were gradually relaxed during the 1960s, allowing the reintroduction of missile and mine capabilities. Torpedoes remained restricted in practice, although some vessels retained latent torpedo capability. Torpedoes were formally reintroduced into Finnish naval service in 2018.

Following the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the treaty restrictions ceased to apply. Despite this, the Finnish Navy has remained relatively stable in personnel size, although its overall displacement and technological capability have increased.

Current status

In the late 1990s, the Finnish Navy initiated development of a new missile squadron, designated Laivue 2000 ("Squadron 2000"). The original plan called for two Hamina-class missile boats, which had already been built, and four Tuuli-class missile hovercraft. However, after testing a single prototype, the Navy announced in 2003 that the Tuuli class would not enter service and that no further vessels would be constructed. Instead, two additional Hamina-class missile boats were built, and some of the systems intended for the hovercraft were installed on the Hämeenmaa-class minelayers.

Following the completion of Squadron 2000, the Finnish Navy shifted its focus to mine countermeasures. This included the replacement of the ageing Kuha- and Kiiski-class minesweepers with three Katanpää-class mine countermeasure vessels, originally known as the MCMV 2010 and MITO programmes.^[4] The cable layer Putsaari and the pollution control vessel Hylje were replaced in 2011 by a new multipurpose vessel constructed by the Uudenkaupungin Työvene shipyard.^[5] An icebreaking oil spill response vessel, Louhi, entered service the same year.^[6] The minelayer Pohjanmaa, commissioned in 1979, was decommissioned in 2013. Following its retirement, the minelayer Hämeenmaa assumed the role of flagship of the Finnish Navy.^[7] In February 2015, fatigue damage was discovered in the hulls of the recently modernised Rauma-class missile boats. As a precaution, the vessels were temporarily withdrawn from active service pending investigation. While their peacetime use was restricted, the vessels remained available for operational deployment if required.^[8][9] In 2018, the Finnish Navy announced the procurement of the Gabriel 5 naval strike missile system from Israel Aerospace Industries. The system will replace the existing RBS 15 anti-ship missiles currently in service. Designated PTO2020 (Pintatorjuntaohjus 2020, "Surface Strike Missile 2020"), the new missiles will be deployed on Hamina-class missile boats, Pohjanmaa-class corvettes, and land-based platforms. The system is expected to remain in service into the 2050s and forms part of the Finnish Defence Forces' joint strike capability against both naval and land targets.^[10]

Fleet modernisation

In October 2012, the Finnish Navy signed a €34 million contract with Marine Alutech for 12 fast transport boats, with an option for additional vessels. The 19-metre (62 ft) Jehu class entered service between 2015 and 2019. The vessels can carry 25 troops and exceed speeds of 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph). They are equipped with remotely operated weapon stations capable of providing fire support during amphibious operations.^[11][12] The new class of landing craft has been named the Jehu class. The Finnish Navy's major modernisation programme, Laivue 2020 ("Squadron 2020"), resulted in the construction of four Pohjanmaa class multi-role corvettes. Construction began in 2021 at the Rauma Marine Constructions shipyard. The class is intended to replace the Hämeenmaa-class minelayers, the Pohjanmaa, and the Rauma-class missile boats. The first vessel is expected to enter service in 2027.^[13] In 2021, the Finnish Navy ordered four Kewatec Work 1920 service vessels, with delivery completed between 2022 and 2024.^[14] In June 2023, Finland ordered an additional 17 Jurmo-class landing craft to expand its coastal transport capability.^[15]

Vessels

Coastal forces

The Finnish Navy's coastal forces consist of coastal infantry and marine units, known as the Coastal Jaegers, as well as coastal missile and surveillance units. Their primary role is to defend Finland’s territorial waters and archipelagos. Unlike many other European countries, Finland has retained certain coastal artillery systems in operational service. These include the 130 53 TK fixed turret guns, which continue to provide long-range coastal fire support.

The main weapon systems of the coastal forces include:

• Spike-ER coastal missile system (infantry-operated)
• MTO 85M anti-ship missile system (truck-mounted RBS-15 Mk.3)
• 130 53 TK coastal artillery (fixed turret-mounted naval guns)
• BOR-A 550 coastal surveillance radar

These systems are being supplemented by the new PTO2020 (Gabriel 5) missile system, which will gradually assume the primary coastal strike role.

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

More information NATO code, OF-10 ...

NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1
Finnish Navy[16] v t e
			Amiraali		Vara-amiraali		Kontra-amiraali		Lippueamiraali		Kommodori		Komentaja		Komentajakapteeni		Kapteeniluutnantti		Yliluutnantti		Luutnantti		Aliluutnantti
			Amiral		Viceamiral		Konteramiral		Flottiljamiral		Kommodor		Kommendör		Kommendörkapten		Kaptenlöjtnant		Premiärlöjtnant		Löjtnant		Underlöjtnant

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Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

More information NATO code, OR-9 ...

NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Finnish Navy[16] v t e
	Sotilasmestari						Ylipursimies		Pursimies		Ylikersantti						Kersantti						Alikersantti				Ylimatruusi		Matruusi
	Militärmästare						Överbåtsman		Båtsman		Översergeant						Sergeant						Undersergeant				Övermatros		Matros

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