Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) to order 17 Jurmo-class landing craft with spare parts. According to a press release issued by the Finnish Ministry of Defence at the end of June 2023, the order, worth a total of EUR 25.5 M, was awarded to Marine AluTech Oy AB. With the new Jurmos, the FDF’s naval infantry should be able to maintain their operational capability until the end of the 2030s.
Jurmo-class landing craft (Finnish designation U-600 class) are primarily used to transport coastal infantry units and for logistical purposes in the Finnish archipelago. According to the FDF website, some of the craft are capable of combat, patrol, escort, command and support duties. Some can also be used for minelaying.
With a length of 14 m and a width of 3.7 m, Jurmo-class landing craft have a displacement of 10 tonnes and can reach a maximum speed of 30 kts. They are manned by a crew of two and armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun.
From 2019 the Finnish Navy’s Jurmos, the procurement of which dates back to 2000-2004, entered an overhaul programme that involved the repairing or replacement of hulls, engines, transmissions and cabins. Safety and ergonomics for the vessels’ users were also marked for improvement.
The Jurmo class differs substantially from the Finnish Navy’s Jehu-class landing craft, which are 19.9 m long, displace 32 tons, and can also perform patrol and escort tasks. The Jehu class was or still is being considered as a possible equipment option for the German Navy’s maritime battalion.
In addition to the Jurmo- and Jehu-class vessels, the Finnish Navy has two other smaller landing craft types as well as the G-boat: an 8 m speedboat for rapid deployment of a squad of eight personnel.
The Jehu-class landing craft belong to the Nyland Brigade, also known as the Uusimaa Brigade, and are stationed at the Vaasa Coastal Fighter Battalion in Syndalen. The other landing craft classes fall under the Coastal Brigade.
Hans-Uwe Mergener
