Kuha-class minesweepers (1974)


 * There has also been an older class named Kuha in the Finnish navy, see Kuha class minesweepers (1941).

The Kuha class minesweepers (Zander) is a series of six inshore minesweepers of the Finnish Navy. The ships were constructed in 1974-1975. All the vessels of the class were modified and modernized in the late 1990s. This included a lengthening of the hull.

The vessels have a glass fibre hull and are amongst the largest vessels built in this material. They are equipped with hydraulic machinery, and its engines are placed in the aft part of the superstructure. The engines are separated from the hull with rubber springs. The engine power is transferred to the propeller unit (which can turn 360 degrees) through two separate hydraulic valves; in this manner the vessels are as quiet as possible, and it has been possible to completely eliminate propeller axles, which are very difficult to silence and are easily damaged in mine explosions.

The vessels are very lightly armed with only a twin 23 mm anti-aircraft gun and a couple of heavy machine guns; Kuha 22 is an exception, as it assumes an anti-aircraft readiness role. It is therefore equipped with a couple more guns than its sister vessels.

The Kuha class vessels usually operate together with some vessels of the Kiiski class, and they can sweep both impact and influence mines.

The Kuha class will be retired when the Katanpää class mine countermeasure vessels enter active service.

Vessels of the class

 * Kuha 1 (21)
 * Kuha 2 (22)
 * Kuha 3 (23)
 * Kuha 4 (24)
 * Kuha 5 (25)
 * Kuha 6 (26): Commissioned 1975, rebuilt 1999