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Surface-to-air missile system for Pohjanmaa-class corvettes

Ministry of Defence
Publication date 21.2.2019 14.30 | Published in English on 21.2.2019 at 14.40
Press release

Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö authorised, on 21 February 2019, the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command to procure a surface-to-air missile system (ITO20) for the Pohjanmaa-class corvettes of the Squadron 2020 project. The ITO20 system will consist of Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM), launcher units, spare parts, required supplementary parts, and the related software package.

The ITO20 system will be installed in all four Pohjanmaa-class vessels. The number of missiles to be procured is not public information. The entire system will cost EUR 83 million, without value added tax, and it will be procured from the United States defence administration through a government-to-government agreement.

The ITO20 system is an integral part of the combat system in the corvettes; surface-to-air missiles protect the vessels' own operations and make it possible to protect other sites or operation of troops. The ITO20 system improves the Navy's capability to participate more effectively in national air defence and protect important sites. A Gabriel surface-to-surface missile system and a torpedo weapon system have already been procured for the corvettes.

Squadron 2020 project contract

The four modern corvettes designed for Finland's conditions will replace the seven surface combatants that will be decommissioned. The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes will be constructed in Finland for reasons of security of supply. The combat system, in other words the weapons and sensors, will be procured from overseas through a separate tendering process.

There are on-going negotiations on contracts for the Pohjanmaa-class shipbuilding and combat systems. The process of completing an extensive contract with a number of parties has required special diligence and has therefore also taken more time than expected.

Inquiries:

Eemeli Peltonen, Communications Manager, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 125.

Janne Muurinen, Captain (navy), Navy Command, tel. 0299 800 (switchboard).

 
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