Patria to overhaul Finland's Hamina class fast attack crafts

Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Finnish Defence Forces have signed a contract with Patria to overhaul the Hamina Class fast attack craft, the company announced on Thursday.

The contract between Finland and Patria is worth more than $205 million and is expected to employ around 300 workers in the country, the company said.

"The Hamina Class mid-life upgrade is a large effort, which has been planned in close cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces," Pasi Niinikoski, president of Patria's Systems Business Unit, said in a press release. "We have strong expertise and capabilities for leading and implementing challenging and extensive system integration projects as a prime contractor."

"We were also responsible for the successful Rauma Class fast attack craft mid-life upgrade project," Niinikoski added.

The Finnish Defense Forces and Patria say the procurement is part of the Naval Capability Development Program and will ensure continued naval defense capabilities as Finland decommissions the Rauma Class fast attack craft and commissions the new Squadron 2020 corvettes over the next decade.

The contract includes delivery of several "sensors, weapon and communication systems," in addition to "ship technical modifications and overhauls."

The Hamina Class fast attack craft will also receive anti-submarine warfare capabilities, along with Patria training Finnish ship crews to use the new enhanced technology.