- Yes
- No
TL;DR:
Coastal vessel, Finnish Pr.50 frigate with a CIWS gun and L/70 Bofors but no torpedoes.
Overview:
In 1964 Finland acquired 2 Soviet Project 50 frigates to bolster their navy with large ships. The ships Filin and SKR-69 (nice) were transferred with additional crew training provided. They were renamed the Uusimaa and Hämeenmaa respectively, and became the largest ships in the Finnish Navy. The 2 ships formed the Escort Ship Flotilla, and were well-liked by their crews for their good seakeeping. The ships participated in many training exercises and cruises, although by the end of the 1960s, manpower shortages due to military restrictions and newly commissioned ships led to only 1 of the ships being used at a time, with the other kept at port. In the 1970s, both ships had their anti-aircraft defences upgraded, with the addition of a 30mm CIWS at the bow and L/70 Bofors replacing the old 37mms. By 1979, Uusimaa was decommissioned and cannibalized for spare parts for Hämeenmaa, which was then converted to a minelayer with its torpedoes removed and bridge superstructure enlarged. Later on its rear gun would also be removed. It served until 1985 when it was scrapped.
Specifications: (1979)
Armament:
3x1 100mm B-34USMA
2x1 40mm Bofors L/70 Type 315
1x2 30mm AK-230
4x1 BMB-2 DCT (36 depth charges)
50 MinesDisplacement:
1050t standard
1337t fullLength: 90.9m
Beam: 10.2m
Draft: 2.9m
Propulsion: 2 TV-9 geared steam turbines with 2 KVG-57 boilers, 20 000 hp, driving 2 shafts
Speed: 29 knots (53.7 km/h)
Range: 1000nmi (at 14.5 knots)
Crew: 168
Systems:
Yakor-M FCR
Neptun-M search radar
Fut-N search radar
Decca navigation radar
Images:
Sources:
Moore, C. J. (1983). Finland. In Jane’s fighting ships 1982-83 (p. 136). Janes.
https://web.archive.org/web/20041229010010/http://www.mil.fi/merivoimat/joukot/smmepa/mv_saattajat.dsp
https://russianships.info/eng/warships/project_50.htm
https://www.navypedia.org/ships/finland/fi_es_uusimaa.htm
https://www.facebook.com/groups/7503796532/media