On July 7, 2023, the Logistics Command of the Finnish Armed Forces signed a contract with the Finnish shipbuilding company Marine Alutech Oy Ab in the amount of 25.5 million euros for the construction of an additional 17 small Jurmo-type amphibious assault boats for the Finnish Navy under the Watercat M12 project.
Amphibious assault boat U 621 of the Jurmo type (Watercat M12 project) of the Finnish Navy (c) Marine Alutech Oy Ab
Previously, Marine Alutech built 38 Jurmo-type boats for the Finnish Navy in 2000-2004 (side numbers from U 601 to U 638). Later, 10 boats of the modified Watercat M14 project were also delivered to the Malaysian Police under the 2008 contract.
The Jurmo type boat (Watercat M12 project) has an all-aluminum construction, a total displacement of 14.2 tons, a maximum length of 14.25 m, a width of 3.65 m and a draft of no more than 0.7 m. The power plant includes two Caterpillar C7 diesel engines with a capacity of 331 kW each, powered by two Rolls-Royce Kamewa FF375 water cannons. The speed of full stroke is empty up to 35-37 knots, with a full load - up to 30 knots, the cruising range in the latter case exceeds 180 miles. The boat is capable of carrying up to 3 tons of cargo or 20 fully equipped infantry with infantry weapons, which are placed in the landing compartment with a forward folding ramp with hydraulic drive. The crew of the boat is two people. There are two manual turrets for installing 12.7 mm NSV machine guns or 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, part of the boat's premises has Kevlar anti-shatter protection. In 2008, a 120-mm automated mortar system Patria NEMO was installed in a turret installation on a boat of this type U 629 for testing.
Amphibious assault boats of the Jurmo type (Watercat M12 project) of the Finnish Navy (c) Marine Alutech Oy Ab
Equipped with a 120 mm automated mortar system Patria NEMO amphibious assault boat U 629 type Jurmo (Watercat M12 project) of the Finnish Navy (c) Marine Alutech Oy Ab