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Helsinki-luokka

The Helsinki class is already paid off. Technically they were classified as "missile fast attack craft" or ohjusvene, literally "missile boat" in Finnish. The Helsinki class represented a completely new type of vessel in Finland with regard to its aluminum hull. A prototype of the Helsinki class vessel was handed over to the Navy in 1980. It is a pioneering boat class, as the vessels are the first aluminum-hulled vessels of this size in the world. In the 1980s, four Wärtsilä-built Helsinki-class missile boats were launched. The first Helsinki-class missile boat, Helsinki, was handed over to the Navy September 1, 1981 and the other three, Turku, Oulu and Kotka during 1985 and 1986 were built at Wärtsilä's Helsinki shipyard. Their main weapon was the Saab RBS-15 missile (MTO 85). It is still available to the Navy as an updated version (MTO 85M).

Aluminum is a popular construction material for high speed craft. Compared to steel, it provides a much lighter body, the required engine power is reduced and correspondingly increases the relative share of payload in the displacement. In addition to weight, anti-magnetism is a property that causes aluminum to be selected specifically for warship hull materials. A small magnetic excitation is an advantage in sea areas suitable for mine warfare, the largest of which is the Baltic Sea. However, aluminum is not a completely problem-free material. It is a tension of metals - prone to corrosion - and has caused engineers headaches throughout their history.

The Helsinki class became obsolete when it was replaced by newer ships. Before decommissioning, the Navy will carry out technical tests on the Helsinki and Turku. The two Helsinki-class missile boats, Helsinki and Turku, are awaiting dismantling at Pansion Harbor. The Navy will investigate how the aluminum structures of the vessels have withstood service. These two ships were used in explosive testing and have since been scrapped.

On October 13, 2008, Patria delivered to the Croatian Navy two Helsinki-class missile boats used by the Finnish Navy. The Navy sold the missile boats to Patria for more than four million euros approved by the Government. The money from the boats is used by the Navy to increase its spare parts and fuel costs. Kotka and Oulu were lifted aboard the cargo ship Grietje in the Northern Strait. Other traffic on the fairway had been stopped for the duration of the operation, as the lifting of nearly three hundred tons of missile boats could not be disturbed by the surf.

The ship class was decommissioned at the end of its life cycle and its overhaul was not considered appropriate for the Finnish Navy. The rocket boats Kotka and Oulu are loaded in the port of Turku on a carrier ship which takes them to Croatia. Under a trade agreement signed in July 2008, Patria will also train the Croatian crew of missile boats. In addition, Patria is seeking a missile boat service agreement. Patria is a strategic partner of the Finnish Navy and has been servicing the Navy's diesel engines since 1964. “Patria is a versatile and flexible partner that supports the Finnish Defense Forces at different stages of its fleet life cycle. Our operations cover commissioning, maintenance, training, modifications and upgrades, and fleet removal in the most efficient way, ”says Jukka Holkeri, President, Patria Group.

“The Helsinki class served the Navy for almost 30 years. It has a successful structure and is well suited to the harsh conditions of the Baltic Sea and the archipelago. The Helsinki class moved the Finnish Navy to modern times at once. We are delighted that an interested buyer has been found with the help of Patria for ships that are still usable, ”says Navy Commander Admiral Hans Holmström. Patria is an international defense and aerospace group that delivers competitive solutions based on its own expertise and partnerships. Patria is owned by the State of Finland and European Aeronautical Defense and Space Company EADS NV.