Hämeenmaa-class minelayer

Hämeenmaa-class minelayer
FNS Uusimaa
Class overview
Name:	Hämeenmaa
Operators:	Finnish Navy
Preceded by:	Finnish minelayer Pohjanmaa
Succeeded by:	-
Completed:	2
General characteristics
Type:	Minelayer
Displacement:	1,450 tons
Length:	77.8 m
Beam:	11.5 m
Draught:	3 m
Propulsion:	2 × Wärtsilä Vasa 16V22 diesel; 5,200 kW with 2 CW propellers
Speed:	20 knots
Complement:	60
Sensors and processing systems:	Furuno S/X (nav radars) Saab 9LV325E FCS (Fire Control System) Simrad hull-mounted sonar EADS TRS3D-16ES (Surveillance Radar) Sagem EOMS (Electro Optical Multisensor System)
Electronic warfare & decoys:	Decoy: 2 × MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill Systems) ESM: Thales DR3000 SIEWS (Shipborne Integrated Electronic Warfare System)
Armament:	1 × Bofors 57 mm/70 Mk1 8-cell Denel Umkhonto-IR VLS SAM system 2 × 12.7 mm machine gun 2 × H&K GMG grenade machinegun 2 × RBU-1200 ASROC launcher 2 × rails for depth charges 4 × rails for 100-150 mines
Notes:	Ships in class include: FNS Hämeenmaa (02) FNS Uusimaa (05)

The Hämeenmaa class minelayers (Finnish language: Hämeenmaa -luokan miinalaiva) is a two vessel strong class of minelayers, used by the Finnish Navy.

The ships have a steel hull and alloy superstructure. The class has an ice operating classification of ICE-1A and can operate around the year. The design included some first attempts on stealth technology in the Finnish Navy.

During a crisis the main task for the Hämeenmaa class ships is minelaying, but the vessels can also act as escort, transport and depot ships.

History

FNS Hämeenmaa

The contract for the Hämeenmaa class was originally awarded to Wärtsilä Marine, but following its bankruptcy the contract was transferred to Hollming. Turmoil in the Finnish shipbuilding industry didn't stop there. In early 1992 Hollming and Rauma Yards merged their shipbuilding industry to form a new company called Finnyards.

Modernization

Both ships are being modernized 2006-2008. The purpose of the modernization is to firstly upgrade the ships' equipment to fit modern standards, and secondly, to enable the ships to participate in international operations, mainly European Security and Defence Policy operations. They are fitted with weapons systems transferred from the discontinued Tuuli class hovercrafts including the Umkhonto missile system. Also a new fire control system Saab 9LV325E FCS, modern monitoring equipment including TRS3D-16ES surveillance radar and Kongsberg ST2400 Variable Depth Sonar and SS2030 Hull mounted sonar, and possibly other modernised equipment will be installed.

In October 2013, Hämeenmaa changed its homeport from Pansio to Upinniemi to replace the decommissioned Pohjanmaa.

Role after modernization

Modernization of the two Hämeenmaa-class ships serves of course the interests of Finnish Navy, but also the ones of EU's Helsinki Headline Goal: these two ships will most likely be the most important ships for EU, having relatively wide selection of roles that they can assume, from light espionage- and minelayer ship to escort- and anti-submarine warfare ship, these two vehicles are practically perfect for monitoring Russia's Baltic fleet.

FNS Uusimaa main gun

Weaponry:

Original	After modernization
2 × Bofors 40 mm dual-purpose guns 2 × twin 23 mm anti-aircraft guns 1 × six-missile ItO 91 surface-to-air missile launcher 2 × anti-submarine rocket launchers 2 × depth charge rails 100-150 sea mines (four mine laying rails)	1 × Bofors 57 mm dual-purpose gun 1 × eight-cell ItO 04 surface-to-air missile launcher 2 × anti-submarine rocket launchers 2 × depth charge rails 100-150 sea mines (four mine laying rails)

Hämeenmaa was delivered from the dock back to the Navy on 13 April 2007 and Uusimaa, which had been under modernization since November 2006 at the Aker Yards dock in Rauma, was delivered on 26 October 2007. Hämeenmaa and Uusimaa will be conducting sea trials on their new systems until the end of 2008, when operational readiness is achieved.

Vessels

FNS Hämeenmaa

Pennant number: 02.

Builder: Finnyards.

Ordered: 29 December 1989.

Laid down: 2 April 1991.

Launched: 11 November 1991.

Commissioned: 15 April 1992.

Home base: Upinniemi.

Current status: In active service.

FNS Uusimaa

Pennant number: 05.

Builder: Finnyards.

Ordered: 13 February 1991.

Laid down: 12 November 1991.

Launched: June 1992.

Commissioned: 2 December 1992.

Home base: Pansio.

Current status: In active service.

References

• "Finnish Defence Forces". http://www.mil.fi. Retrieved August 6, 2005. 
• "Aker Finnyards". http://www.akerfinnyards.com. Retrieved August 6, 2005. 
• Tuurnala, Alpo (2004). Harmaat laivat. Helsinki: Art-Print. ISBN 952-9745-16-8.