Finland will deploy a missile boat in the Baltic Sentry mission

The Finnish Navy will increase its presence and surveillance in the Baltic Sea as part of the Baltic Sentry mission.

The Finnish Navy has announced that it will deploy a Hamina-class missile boat.

NATO’s increased vigilance in the Baltic Sea is an integral part of the Alliance’s collective defense.

“For the Finnish Navy, NATO’s increased activity means an increased presence at sea, enhanced surveillance and information sharing, and more exercises with allies,” the statement reads.

The Finnish Navy is participating in NATO’s Baltic Sentry operation.

This mission is aimed at ensuring regional security in the Baltic Sea and protecting critical underwater infrastructure.

It is noted that over the coming weeks and months, several ships and units of the Finnish Navy will participate in joint activities that will depend on the situation and mission requirements.

In addition to the ships under Finnish national command, the Finnish Navy will deploy one Hamina-class missile boat to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) in January and February, starting in the coming days.

The boats are 51 meters long and have a displacement of 274 tons. The first of them joined the Finnish Navy in the early 2000s.

They were considered a successful project due to their unique operational concept, which emphasized conducting surface warfare from the cluttered Finnish archipelagos.

The design emphasized maneuverability, shallow draft, and good firepower with a small crew.

Recently, four fifth-generation F-35A multi-role fighters from the Dutch Air Force have also joined NATO’s Baltic Sentry mission.