The new Finnish Navy Surface-to-Surface Missile System 2020 (SSM2020) will create the preconditions for protecting maritime traffic and preventing attack until the 2050s. The system will replace the current 85M missile system, which will reach the end of its life in the 2020s. The Finnish Navy last year selected the Gabriel 5 manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries as its future Anti-Surface Missile 2020, replacing the MTO 85M, a version of the Saab RBS15, now in service.
With dimensions similar to the Exocet and Harpoon, Gabriel-5 represents the latest member to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Gabriel Missile family of naval attack missiles. The new Gabriel 5 is designed to offer superior performance compared to most contemporary missiles, particularly when employed in littoral waters against sophisticated soft- and hard-kill protected targets. Gabriel missiles created in response to an attack on an Israeli warship in 1967. The Mark IV version was in service with the Israeli Navy while other versions are in service with navies around the world.
The main selection criteria included performance vis-Ã -vis acquisition costs and schedule, lifecycle costs and security of supply, and compatibility with existing infrastructure and defence system. Details concerning quantities of the system to be purchased will not be made public. The submitted quotations were from the following systems: NSM (Kongsberg, Norway); EXOCET (MBDA, France); Harpoon (Boeing, USA); RBS15 (SAAB, Sweden) and Gabriel (Israel Aerospace Industries, Israel).
The Finnish Navy surface defense capability consists of missile firing, mine-laying, and coast defense with artillery and missiles. Surface defense refers to the use of fire against enemy surface ships. The new SSM2020 Missiles will be installed on board the Hamina Class and Squadron 2020 Class vessels and on a vehicle platform. The procurement will have an impact on the Finnish Defence Forces’ operations and on the Finnish Navy’s capabilities until the 2050s. The missiles are designed to destroy large targets such as surface ships. The missile can also be fired at ground targets.
