Finnish shipbuilder Marine Alutech will supply 15 Watercat M18 AMC multi-purpose combat boats, alongside crew training, documentation and lifecycle support, to strengthen Germany’s coastal defence capabilities
The German Navy has awarded Finnish shipbuilder Marine Alutech a contract to supply 15 Watercat M18 AMC multi-purpose combat boats to enhance the coastal mobility of its Seebataillon.
The contract was signed on 12 October 2026 by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and includes the delivery of 15 boats, together with crew training, technical documentation and lifecycle support.
The procurement will strengthen the Seebataillon’s ability to deploy infantry across coastal waters and littoral regions, where tactical mobility and rapid movement between land and sea are essential to operations.
The Watercat M18 AMC is an established platform operated by the Finnish Navy since 2014 for combat missions, patrol duties, troop transport, evacuation and command operations. Designed for shallow-water operations and coastal environments, the boats combine high-speed performance with the capability to conduct rapid landings.
Measuring approximately 20 metres in length, the Watercat M18 AMC can carry its crew and embarked marines, together with their personal equipment. An integrated bow ramp enables personnel and equipment to be loaded and unloaded directly onto shallow shorelines, supporting rapid deployment in coastal areas.
Built on Marine Alutech’s Military-Off-The-Shelf (MOTS) platform, the Watercat M18 AMC can accommodate different system integrations to meet a range of operational requirements.
The platform is also being adopted by other NATO members, including Lithuania, for specialised missions along the Baltic coastline. They joined together with Finland the CFMAC development and purchase Program, which allows other EU/NATO members to join, too – similar to the CAVS-program of PATRIA.
