Griffon Marine, the UK-based leader in the design and construction of amphibious and high-speed marine vessels, has been awarded a contract by the Finnish Border Guard to build and deliver three new hovercraft. The contract was awarded following an open EU-wide tendering process. The three hovercrafts will be built to Griffon Marine’s established 2000TD-class design and are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027.
The three hovercraft will each measure approximately 12.7 metres in length and, when hovering, about 6.2 metres in beam, with a payload capacity around 2,000 kg – combining robust load capability with compact dimensions suitable for archipelagos and ice-covered waters.
“We are honoured that the Finnish Border Guard has entrusted Griffon Marine with this vital capability enhancement,” said Mark Downer, CEO of Griffon Marine. “Our 2000TD-class hovercraft are designed for versatility and reliability in demanding maritime environments. With harsh winters, complex archipelagos and ice-bound seas, these new vessels will significantly strengthen the Border Guard’s ability to carry out patrols, surveillance and rescue missions year-round.”
The decision to replace the existing hovercraft stems from the Finnish Border Guard’s need to ensure the reliability and continuity of its maritime operations by renewing ageing vessels that have reached the end of their technical life cycle. The latest version of the Griffon 2000TD has a turbo-charged diesel engine, variable pitch propeller and advanced skirt design which brings a significant upgrade with enhanced performance and updated technology, when compared to the current in-service craft.
The new hovercraft will support the Finnish Border Guard’s statutory duties across all seasons and under a wide range of conditions – especially in the coastal archipelago; rocky and ice-covered zones where traditional vessels struggle.
Hovercraft play a critical role for the Finnish Border Guard in winter conditions, enabling access to islands and coastal zones even when the sea is partially frozen or heavily iced – an environment which offers severely limited navigability for conventional small craft. Hovercraft are also used for cooperation with other authorities, including police, emergency services and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, for tasks ranging from medical evacuation to environmental monitoring.
The Finnish Border Guard’s use of hovercraft has proven indispensable for maritime border surveillance, search and rescue operations, and interagency support – especially under challenging arctic-winter conditions.
“The purpose of these new hovercraft is to replace the current ones that have reached the end of their technical life cycle. This procurement ensures the performance of the Finnish Border Guard’s statutory duties in all seasons and in conditions, where the operability of conventional vessels or aircraft is limited,” says Major General Jari Tolppanen, Chief of the Finnish Border Guard’s Technical Division
The procurement of these three new hovercraft is part of the Finnish Border Guard’s broader effort – supported under the Government’s programme and additional budgetary funding – to maintain and develop operational readiness for maritime border and Coast Guard duties across Finland’s complex coastal environment.
