Estonia’s Ministry of Defense announced the procurement of two 18 meters patrol boats for the Estonian Navy. The contract was awarded to Baltic Workboats.
The main task of these patrol boats will to ensure the military protection of NATO and Partner countries’ warships visiting Estonia at sea and in ports. The vessels can also be used for intelligence missions, to identify foreign ships.
The patrol boats are 18 meters long. They will be fitted with partial ballistic protection, two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, and a remotely controlled weapon station 12,7 mm FN Sea deFNder. The speed of the boats is over 30 knots. Construction is set to start by the end of this year. They will be commissioned by the Estonian Navy in 2021.
Baltic Workboats has nearly 20 years of experience in the field; previously, similar patrol boats have been ordered by the Omani police who plans to use them for port security.
“The acquisition of new equipment signals that we will continue to develop our defense, because national defense cannot be paused even during a crisis. However, it is also important to support the country’s economy and people as they emerge from the crisis, ”
Minister of Defense Jüri Luik.
“This is a very important agreement for us at such a difficult time, and we are very grateful that the Estonian state took a bold step and turned directly to the local producer. Such orders create the necessary reference for us to participate in the procurement of the defense industry in other parts of the world and thereby increase Estonian exports, ”said
Margus Vanaselja, Chairman of the Management Board of Baltic Workboats AS
