Three new hovercraft for the Finnish Border Guard
The Finnish Border Guard procures three new hovercraft. These new hovercraft will replace the current ones that will reach the end of their life cycle in the coming years. The vessels will ensure the Finnish Border Guard’s capability in the archipelago, especially during frost heaving.
In December 2025, the Finnish Border Guard concluded a procurement contract for three hovercraft. This procurement was carried out through an open EU-wide tendering process. As a result, the hovercraft will be delivered by Griffon Marine Ltd from the United Kingdom, and they will be of the model Griffon 2000TD.
The vessels are approximately 12,7m long and, when hovering, approximately 6,2m wide, with a payload capacity of about 2,000kg. The vessels will be delivered during 2026–2027.
The replacement of hovercraft is a part of the Finnish Border Guard’s effort to ensure its maritime operational capacity. Furthermore, the procurement is based on the Government programme and funding granted in the supplementary budget in order to maintain and develop operational readiness.
− 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, Major General Jari Tolppanen, Chief of the Finnish Border Guard’s Technical Division, states.
Hovercraft are used by the Finnish Border Guard in border surveillance, maritime search and rescue and as support in its other duties. The vessels will also enable providing support to other authorities, such as the Police and the rescue departments, in their operations.
– The Finnish Border Guard’s capability during frost heaving, especially hovercraft, has a key role in carrying out all safety duties in the archipelago, Head of Maritime Safety, Mikko Hirvi from the Finnish Border Guard Headquarters emphasises.
