ITO20 missile system for Pohjanmaa-class corvettes
The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command has received authorisation from the Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD) to purchase a surface-to-air missile system (ITO20) for the four Pohjanmaa-class corvettes of the Squadron 2020 project, the MoD announced on 21 February.
The complete system, worth €83 million, will be procured from the US defence administration through a government-to-government agreement.
The ITO20 system will consist of Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles, launcher units, spare parts, required supplementary parts and the related software package.
Surface-to-air missiles will protect the vessels’ own operations and make it possible to protect other sites or operation of troops. A Gabriel surface-to-surface missile system and a torpedo weapon system have already been procured for the corvettes.
The Finnish Navy’s Squadron 2020 project aims to replace the seven existing surface combatants with four Pohjanmaa-class corvettes.
The weapons and sensors will be procured from overseas through a separate tendering process.
More from Naval Warfare
-
AUKUS advance on UUVs contrasts with Virginia-class compromise
The AUKUS partnership is accelerating uncrewed undersea capability while its submarine arm inches forward, and Australia’s decision to settle for three in-service Virginia-class boats raises questions about industrial risk, dependency and whether Pillar II may deliver meaningful capability long before Pillar I can.
-
Peru partnership may serve as a template for South Korean naval exports into South America
With a growing pipeline of naval modernisation programmes in South America, South Korean companies could be set to expand their presence in the region as recent contract wins highlight growing collaboration.
-
AUKUS plan B? Japan’s submarines stopgap gains traction
Australia’s Collins-class life of type extension has revived debate over whether Canberra needs a contingency plan as risks to every stage of the AUKUS pathway mount. With Japan newly open to exports, the case for a diesel-electric stopgap is gaining traction.