Finland and Sweden’s naval forces conduct Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise

Europe, News April 24, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The Finnish and Swedish navies came together this week to conduct a joint Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise in the Gulf of Finland.

According to a press release of the Finnish navy, the two naval forces conducted an anti-submarine warfare exercise under the framework of CBT (Cross Border Training) with the objectives of developing interoperability, anti-submarine warfare capability, and increasing the know-how of personnel.

Finland’s two Hamina-class fast-attack crafts, Torino and Hamina, were used by the Finnish navy during the exercise. While Sweden sent its Gotland-class submarine, HSWMS Uppland to the naval drills.

The exercise leader Commander Toni Joutsia stated that “The exercise is a part of the close cooperation conducted by Finland with Sweden. Participating in international training activities is important, because it demonstrates, maintains, and develops our national defense.”

Toni Joutsia further added that “In addition to anti-submarine warfare, provision of host nation support will also be rehearsed this week: HSWMS Uppland attached itself to the side of multi-purpose vessel Louhi for maintenance and supplies in Hanko this morning.” Hanko is a port town on the south coast of Finland.

*^{Finnish Navy Hamina-class missile boat Hanko with an Army NH90 (Image Credit: Finnish Navy)}*

The Finnish Navy’s Hamina-class fast-track craft exercise went through an extensive overhaul to increase its warfare capabilities in December 2020. The modernization plan particularly focused on the integration of new torpedo launching capabilities and Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) into the ship.

Other modernization work for Hamina-class frigates includes:

– BAE Systems Bofors 40 Mk4 40mm main gun (replacing the 57mm Mk3)

– IAI Gabriel V Anti-Ship missile

– Saab Torpedo 47

– Saab trackfire remote weapon stations

– Saab 9LV combat management system

– Kongsberg ST2400 variable depth sonar

Earlier this month, Sweden and Finland also participated in a week of intensive aerial war exercises called Ramstein Alloy, along with several other NATO member countries. The exercise focused on real-world scenarios for the air policing of the Baltic region.

With the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the threat of Russian attack in the Baltic Sea region, Sweden and Finland have been ramping up their defense capabilities through bolstering defense cooperation with each other and with the NATO allies. During a meeting between the Swedish and Finnish prime ministers last week, it was announced that both countries would apply for a NATO membership in coming months.

*^{Finland’s Hamina-class fast-attack missile boat. (Image Credit: Finnish Navy/Militaryleak)}*

In January 2022, NATO’s Secretary General Stoltenberg stated about NATO’s relations with Finland and Sweden by saying, “Finland and Sweden are NATO’s closest partners. We share the same values. And we face the same challenges, in the Baltic Sea region and beyond. Our forces have trained and exercised together for many years. We continue to share information and situational awareness. And both Finland and Sweden have contributed to NATO missions and operations, from the Western Balkans to Iraq.”

Russia is not happy with Finland and Sweden’s increasing inclination towards NATO. Kremlin’s Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that if Sweden and Finland join the NATO alliance, Russia would have to balance the situation in the region. Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev also stated that Finland and Sweden’s admittance into the NATO alliance would mean “no more talk of a nuclear-free Baltic”.