Finland, Germany, Denmark, Lithuania, and Norway will soon begin to receive Blocker naval mining systems, produced by the Finnish company Forcit. The value of the deliveries is estimated at hundreds of millions of euros.
The acquisitions are made within the framework of the Naval Mines Cooperation initiative, led by Finland and aimed at strengthening the maritime defense of NATO allies. The Finnish Defense Forces have already signed a framework agreement for the delivery of systems to the five states.
Mines could be used in the Baltic Sea, where ports represent essential nodes for troop movement and goods transport in the event of a military crisis. Forcit’s Director, Joakim Westerlund, stated to Bloomberg that the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of the ability to block strategic areas.
Blocker is an “intelligent” naval mine, installed on the sea floor, with a power of over 1,000 kilograms equivalent TNT. The system can classify ships passing through the area and can be programmed to target only certain targets, allowing the passage of allied and neutral vessels.
Details, HERE