Finland has handed over an unspecified number of landing crafts to Ukraine. The boats will be delivered to Romania first where the Ukrainian crews will be receiving necessary training. Finnish media speculate that the vessels to be transferred are "similar to Swedish CB90 military assault crafts."
This assumption is valid because, Sweden has allocated 10 CB90 CB90-class fast assault craft as well as 20 smaller G-class assault craft to Ukraine in February 2024. Later, the Netherlands announced it would add some more CB90 boats from its own stock.
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Given the predominantly land-based nature of the current hostilities, such assistance may seem in discord with the real needs. After all, first and foremost, Ukraine needs help with equipment and weapons of the "land-based" nature.
But on the other hand, given that Ukraine is creating a Marine Corps as part of the Ukrainian Navy, then such a formation requires a sufficient number of landing crafts to partake in missions in the coastal area of Ukraine's Black Sea basin.
Moreover, Swedish CB90 crafts are quite flexible in use due to their characteristics.
The CB90 assault watercraft, also known as Stridsbåt 90, has a hull 15,9 meters long and 3,8 meters wide. The displacement is up to 23 tons. Dimensions allow this vessel to be transported by land without any logistical difficulties. The crew is 3 people. The craft also can carry the landing force of up to 21 people.
As for the unnamed type of military assault craft from Finland, there should not be any difficulties with delivery either.
As for the weapons that can be used on the CB90 crafts, there are three turrets for a 12,7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. But some sources claim that CB90s can also carry four mines or six depth charges. If it is true, then in theory the CB90 crafts could also be used for maritime security tasks.
Finally, one of the most important strategic tasks for Ukraine is to create a powerful fleet that could prevent russia's aggression in the future. From this perspective, the transfer of watercraft from partner countries is important as a sort of foundation for the further deployment of Ukrainian fleet, as well as the three Alkmaar-class minehunters that Belgium is providing in its new military aid package.
Earlier Defense Express reported that Magura V5 sea drones` Chief operator had said that these drones are invisible to radars.
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