Industry Perspective: all vessels rise with the common design tide

The defence world is witnessing Europe’s coalescing and organising its armed forces within NATO beyond a uniform standard and toward common interoperable platforms. While the tactical, political, logistical, industrial and fiscal advantages might be obvious, some areas of cooperation over and adoption of common designs are not.  So, ESD asked one of the leaders in the combat boat sector for insight because this addresses both land and littoral defence forces.

Niko Haro, CEO of Marine Alutech (Teijo Finland) speaks with Curtis Hand of European Security & Defence (ESD) about how this new approach increases business opportunities and benefits his company and others joining a common design programme. Subscribing to these programmes streamlines procurements, increase interoperability, improve MRO response time and allows each participating nation the opportunity to produce the common design platform at home, benefitting its own economy.

ESD: What is your perspective on NATO Europe’s shift toward a common design platform for its naval defence materiel?

Niko Haro: Marine Alutech has made the first step with signing together with the Lithuanian- and the Latvian Ministry of Defence the contract for the Common Future Multipurpose Attack Craft CFMAC procurement programme to develop and deliver Combat boats on a common design platform based on our Watercat M18, which also other NATO members can join. The interest towards the programme is increasing significantly.

ESD: How does this CFMAC approach fit with Marine Alutech’s own existing business practices?

Niko Haro: This platform is now in use successfully in different European NATO navies. It fits excellent in our business practices. We are optimizing our production and growing at the same time. Even though it is the same platform we build on, our customers get customized solutions. We can speak now about NATO proven solutions. It is a win-win situation.

ESD: Why does Marine Alutech fit well with the combat boat / fast attack craft common design criteria?

Niko Haro: With now over 40 years’ experience in designing and building vessels, together with our Navy customers and loyal suppliers, we have got high rated knowledge to manufacture custom made fast attack and combat boats and develop together the platform for the customers different tasks. Through short communication lines, we can also react directly to changing integration needs. Also, when we speak about uncrewed solutions for new build or vessels in use.

ESD: Where else – besides Finland – will NATO European navies find Marine Alutech’s Watercat?

Niko Haro: Marine Alutech’s vessels beside Finland are already in NATO Navies as Norway, Sweden, Danmark, and Greece. NATO navies from Lithuania and Latvia are the next users through the CFMAC develop- and procurement program. Additionally, we are in negotiations with six other NATO countries for new Watercat deliveries.

Curtis Hand