The Government Defence Report (VNS 2024) mentions the modernisation of minesweeping capabilities of contact and influence mines, which is set to begin with replacing the ageing Kuha and Kiiski class vessels. The vessels were built in the 1970s and 1980s, and extending their life cycle is no longer cost-effective.
Therefore, the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command has opened a call for requests for participating in the procurement of systems for the Minesweeping 2030 project. Preliminary answers are expected in June 2026 and after that the selected suppliers will receive requests for quotation (RFQ).
The procurement tendering of project Minesweeping 2030 vessels will be done as a turnkey project, which includes procurement of the minesweepers and minesweeping systems as well as integrating them to the platforms, including the Finnish Navy’s existing contact-mine sweeping equipment.
The vessels’ influence-mine sweeping capability consists of acoustic, magnetic and electric minesweeping systems. Vessels and systems containing autonomous properties will be used in minesweeping. They can be used either manned or unmanned. .
The new capability is expected to be operational in the early 2030s.
