According to information published by the Finnish MoD on June 29, 2023, Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen has approved the purchase of 17 additional Jurmo-class landing craft along with spare parts, as part of a move to sustain and enhance the mobility of coastal troops until the end of the 2030s.
The landing craft will be supplied by Marine AluTech Oy AB. The procurement, excluding value added tax, is valued at EUR 25.5 million, and is projected to generate domestic employment equivalent to 110 person-years.
With a significant coastline and numerous islands, Finland’s geographic conditions present unique defense and logistics challenges that landing crafts, like the Jurmo-class, are well-suited to address.
Firstly, landing crafts are fundamental to amphibious operations. They provide the critical ability to transport troops, equipment, and vehicles from sea to shore.
This becomes vital in scenarios of direct engagement or during defensive maneuvers. In times of conflict, these crafts can deliver troops to the frontline rapidly, even under hostile conditions.