Finnish naval vessel joins NATO mine countermeasures group

The Finnish Navy’s MHC (Mine Hunter Coastal) Purunpää joined the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) started on September 14, said Finnish Navy in a press release on Tuesday.

MHC Purunpää will operate under NATO command by the Transfer of Authority procedure and execute tasks assigned to SNMCMG1 by the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM).

During this time, the vessel will be conducting tasks mainly in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.

In the Baltic Sea, the tasks of SNMCMG1 include, in particular, maritime surveillance and presence related to NATO’s Baltic Sentry activity. During the time period, SNMCMG1 will operate under a Lithuanian commander.

“We are desired partners, and the capability of Katanpää-class mine hunters in mine countermeasures operations and undersea investigations is state-of-the art,” said Chief of Staff of the Coastal Fleet, commander Toni Joutsia.

In addition to the regular crew of the vessel, five contractual soldiers who have served earlier on Coastal Fleet vessels will participate in the deployment.