The Pansio-class minelayers[1] are a three-strong class of mine warfare vessels used by the Finnish Navy, built between 1991 and 1992.[2] The vessels can also be used for transport or to supply the naval forts. The vessels can carry a 100-ton load.
The ships are referred to as "mine ferries" in the Finnish Navy.
The three vessels went through a mid-life upgrade between 2015 and 2017 and are now expected to serve until the 2030s. The upgrades included new main and auxiliary engines, as well as a new high-pressure fire extinguishing system.[3] The vessels were also equipped with a Saab Trackfire remote weapon station with a 7.62 mm PKM machine gun and a 40 mm Heckler & Koch GMG. The two Sako twin-barreled 23 mm/87 (modified ZU-23-2) were removed.
On 24 August 2022 Pyhäranta ran aground in the Archipelago Sea, off Turku, Finland. Her hull was holed.[4]
Pennant number | Name | Builder | Built | Commissioned | Modernized | Home base | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 (ex-876 and ex-576) | Pansio | Olkiluoto | 1991 | 25 September 1991 | Pansio | In active service | |
| 92 (ex-875, ex-575 and ex-475) | Pyhäranta | Olkiluoto | 26 May 1992 | Upinniemi | In active service | ||
| 91 (ex-777) | Porkkala | Olkiluoto | 29 October 1992 | Upinniemi | In active service | ||