Jehu-class landing craft
{{Short description|Finnish class of military vessels}}
| {{Infobox ship begin |infobox caption=}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=Jehu_class_U701_NOCO2014_03.JPG |Ship image size= |Ship caption=U701 in Turku during the Northern Coasts 2014 exercise }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name=Jehu-class landing craft |Builders=Marine Alutech |Operators={{navy|Finland}} |Class before=Jurmo-class landing craft |Class after= |Subclasses= |Cost=*{{ShipCost|FIN|34|m|year=2012|qty=12}}
|Built range=2012– |In service range=2014– |In commission range= |Total ships building=12 |Total ships planned= |Total ships completed= |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active= |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships scrapped= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class= |Ship type=Landing craft |Ship tonnage= |Ship displacement=32 tons (full load) |Ship length={{convert|19.9|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|4.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship height= |Ship draught={{convert|1.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship draft= |Ship power=2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}Scania DI16 007 (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}1,150{{nbsp}}hp) |Ship propulsion=Two Rolls-Royce 40A3 water jets |Ship speed=*Over {{convert|40|kn}} (maximum)
|Ship range={{convert|200|nmi}} |Ship endurance= |Ship capacity= |Ship troops=24 |Ship complement=5-6 |Ship time to activate= |Ship armament=* Saab Trackfire remote weapon station (RWS) with either 12.7{{nbsp}}mm NSV machine gun or 40 mm Heckler & Koch GMG, and a coaxial 7.62 mm PKM machine gun
|Ship armor=Ballistic protection |Ship notes= }} |
Jehu-class landing craft (also referred to as U-700 class) are a class of military transport vessels used by the Finnish Navy. Manufactured by Marine Alutech under the designation Watercat M18 AMC, the boats can perform a multitude of tasks ranging from troop transport and landing operations to patrolling and escort tasks as well as combat and battle support operations. The Jehu-class boats are considerably larger and better armed that the preceding Jurmo-class landing craft.
History
The new class of landing craft was ordered in October 2012 to supplement the existing Uisko and Jurmo classes as part of a project to improve the performance and equipment of the coastal troops. The cost for the first batch of 12 boats was about 34 million euro.
U701 operated from the dock of HMS Albion during exercises in May 2021.
In April 2022, it was announced that the Lithuanian Navy will acquire Jehu-class patrol boats from Finland.{{cite web|title=Lithuania to buy patrol boats from Finland – ministry|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1682250/lithuania-to-buy-patrol-boats-from-finland-ministry|date=27 April 2022|access-date=27 April 2022|publisher=LRT}}
General characteristics
File:Jehu_U707_Lippujuhlan_päivän_kalustoesittely_2016_2.JPG
The Jehu-class boats are {{convert|19.9|m|ft}} long and {{convert|4.3|m|ft}} wide, and have a draught of {{convert|1.1|m|ft}}. Their displacement at full load is 32 tons. The boats are powered by two Scania DI16 007 diesel engines, each with an output of {{convert|900|hp|kW}}, driving two Rolls-Royce 40A3 water jets. This gives the boats a maximum speed in excess of {{convert|40|kn}} and a cruising speed of {{convert|35|kn}} at full load. The boats have an aluminium hull and a superstructure made of composite materials, and offer a ballistic protection which is at same level or even exceeds that of the Patria Pasi APC.[http://www.marinealutech.com/boats/landing_crafts/watercat_m18_amc Watercat M18 AMC]. Marine Alutech. {{retrieved|accessdate=2015-06-15}}
Served by a crew of six (two professional officers and four conscripts), the Jehu-class boats are designed to transport 25 troops in the enclosed cabin. In addition to landing and combat operations, the boats can be quickly converted for medical and evacuation tasks as well as act as command launches. The onboard amenities for the crew include a microwave oven, water boiler and a water toilet as well as heating and air conditioning systems.
For combat operations, the Jehu-class boats are armed with a Saab Trackfire Remote Weapon Station fitted with either 12.7{{nbsp}}mm NSV machine gun or a 40{{nbsp}}mm Heckler & Koch GMG grenade machine gun, and a coaxial 7.62{{nbsp}}mm PKM machine gun.[http://saabgroup.com/Media/news-press/news/2012-12/Trackfire-RWS-Hits-the-Mark-for-the-Finnish-Amphibious-Market/ Trackfire RWS Hits the Mark for the Finnish Amphibious Market]. Saab Group, 21 December 2012. {{retrieved|accessdate=2015-06-15}} In addition, the boats have pedestals for two crew-operated NSV machine guns. In future, the modular construction allows fitting of naval mine rails or a light anti-ship missile system.[http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/a1433299351615 Merivoimat esitteli uudet taisteluveneensä – tällaisia alukset ovat]. Helsingin Sanomat, 3 June 2015. {{retrieved|accessdate=2015-06-15}}
Operators
; {{FIN}}
; {{LTU}}
See also
References
{{Commons category|Jehu class landing craft}}
{{reflist}}
{{Active ships of the Finnish Navy}}
Category:Ships of the Finnish Navy