Haulikkoammukset

Haulikkoammukset were a class of small, motorized coastal defense vessels that served in the Finnish Navy during the late 1950s and 1960s. The name, derived from the Finnish words “haulikko” (ferry) and “ammukset” (ammunition), reflected their dual role as transporters of munitions and as rapid-response platforms along the Gulf of Finland’s shoreline.

The vessels were built by the Finnish shipyard Tampereen Varastot at the beginning of the 1950s. Each ship was 25 metres long, displaced 120 tonnes, and was powered by a single diesel engine that allowed a maximum speed of 12 knots. Armament consisted of a single 40 mm Bofors gun and a pair of 12.7 mm machine guns, complemented by onboard stores of antifouling and repair equipment. The design prioritized seaworthiness in the relatively calm Finnish waters and the endurance needed for routine patrol and resupply missions.

Operationally, Haulikkoammukset were deployed in the Gulf of Finland, supporting coastal artillery batteries by transporting ammunition, supplies, and supplies to remote outposts. They also conducted coastal surveillance and participated in training exercises with larger warships. Their shallow draft enabled close navigation near harbors and estuaries that larger vessels could not access.

The ships were phased out in the early 1970s as newer minesweepers and patrol boats replaced them. Several hulls were sold for civilian use as fishing vessels or archives, while a preserved example now resides in a Finnish maritime museum as a testament to the navies wartime logistics and coastal defense strategies.