All three
Pansio-class minelayers Pansio, Porkkala and Pyhäranta will be
refitted. Pansio is the first to be completed. The refitting will extend
the use of the ships well into the 2030’s.
“All the work required for the refitting was done in Finland.
We have already had significant joint projects with the Finnish Navy
and Border Guard. During these previous projects we have built up a
considerable amount of know-how in Finland. We hope to be able to utilize
these skills in future naval projects, too, says the CEO of ATLAS ELEKTRONIK
Finland (AEFI), Jaakko Savisaari.
AEFI has previously delivered systems technology to Hamina class missile
boats of the Finnish Navy. They have also delivered an integrated navigation
and mission management system to the offshore patrol vessel Turva of
the Finnish Border Guard. This system has raised wide interest in the
field, also internationally. The machinery, satellite communications
and light weapons systems required for the currently renovated minelayers
were purchased from abroad since there is no Finnish manufacturer. AEFI
carried out the whole demanding systems programming in Finland.
The basic functions of the minelayers have been maintained or developed
in the refitting. After refitting, the minelayers are even more capable
of supporting light naval and amphibious units, since their efficiency
in fuel and water replenishment, as well as waste water uptake, has
significantly improved. |
