New surface-to-surface missile for operational use

This summer, the Navy has conducted exercises in order to develop the new surface-to-surface missile system (SSM 2020), and as a result of this development work, the system has now been introduced into operational use.

Surface warfare refers to the use of fire against an enemy’s surface vessels. The surface-to-surface missile system is capable of long-range effects and it can also be used against land targets.

The Navy’s surface warfare capability consists of the use of missile fire, sea mines and artillery and coastal missile fire.

- The surface-to-surface missile system introduced into use constitutes one of the Navy’s main weapon systems, while sea mines constitute the other. The sophisticated features and long range of the missile system contribute to ensuring the carrying out of naval defence tasks nationally or as a part of the Alliance. Using the system will enable the Navy to participate also in the Defence Forces’ joint effects tasks, which I consider crucial, the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Tuomas Tiilikainen elaborates.

The introduction of the surface defence system is a very significant step forward for the Finnish Navy and naval defence. The system introduced into use will replace the current anti-ship missile M85 system, which will reach the end of its life cycle during this decade. The new system will be operated on Hamina-class fast-attack craft, Pohjanmaa-class multi-role corvettes and vehicle platforms.

- By installing this system on several different platforms, we will achieve combat resistance, wide area striking power against land and sea targets in the challenging circumstances of the modern battlefield and that of the future, Tiilikainen continues.

Read more: Anti-surface missile Gabriel (PTO 2020)