A Framework Arrangement for setting the scope for the Naval Mines Cooperation has been signed by Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Poland.
Finnish Government press release
In July 2024, the Defence Ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Finland signed a Letter of Intent on Naval Mines Cooperation Baltic Sea.
Naval Mines Cooperation aims to strengthen the collective defence and explore practical opportunities for cooperation in the procurement, logistics and operation of naval mine weapon systems.
The Finnish Navy has maintained a high level of expertise and developed consistently the different aspects of naval mines capability. Since the Letter of Intent, Finland has taken the lead role in Naval Mines Cooperation.
“Cooperation around the naval mine warfare is in the interest of Finland and our allies operating in and around the Baltic Sea. We have recognised that by sharing our own know-how, we will strengthen our allies, but our own defence as well”, says Finnish Minister of Defence Mr. Antti Häkkänen.
Now a Framework Arrangement (FA) for setting the scope for the NMC has been signed by Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Poland. The FA will enable joint procurements, navy-navy cooperation, logistics and life cycle management, exercises and training, exchange of information and development of the naval mine weapon systems.
A joint procurement of the Blocker Influence Sea Mine System under Finland’s leadership is also planned within the NMC framework. The joint procurement is being prepared by Denmark, Finland, Germany, Lithuania and Norway.
Minister Häkkänen considers joint procurement opportunities promising: “Finnish industry has world class products and know-how that interests our allies. Exploring opportunities for joint procurement is one possible area of cooperation, and we have been preparing a joint procurement of Blocker Sea Mines already.”
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Naval News comments:
The Blocker Influence Sea Mine System is designed and produced by Finnish company Oy FORCIT Ab (Forcit Defence).
Earlier this year, Denmark announced the procurement of a large number of sea mine from Finland.
NATO last year issued new requirements calling its member states to be able to lay a set number of sea mines. Naval News understands the number varies depending on the geographical location of the member state as well as on the size of its navy.
Check out our interviews with FORCIT Defense and DA Group regarding the Blocker sea mines:
