Company insight
seem to be effective, as Russia is unable to use landing ships and infantry in that region, despite having maritime superiority in the Black Sea, because mines are limiting their effectiveness. However, the technology has been in constant development in Finland, where the navy has continued to rely on sea mines as its main weapons system. “Finland is constantly developing that capability and much of that development has been done by DA-Group,” says Tornivaara. “We are constantly developing, testing and putting into operative use new technologies, though they are hardly seen in any other country. We are protecting our own coastline and sea lanes with sea mines and surface missiles. The deterrent factor is really high. Mine fear is a real thing. Mines are one of the most effective area denial systems in existence.”
Tactical advantage and safety The modern influence sea mines that DA-Group has developed are extremely safe for handling and storage, and offer a relatively affordable anti-access and area
denial armament in the maritime domain. They are highly effective for safeguarding the sea lines of communication against both submarines and surface targets, as they can target enemy vessels using IFF functionality to recognise friendly vessels and commercial shipping. “They are smart weapons that can select targets, both surface vessels and submarines, which are now a bigger threat as they become more versatile,” says Takanen. “Today’s modern influence mines work well also against submarines.” “There is no risk of mass detonation as we use insensitive materials, so it is very hard to accidentally detonate a mine,” Tornivaara explains. “They have target detection, safety and arming systems, with many independent mechanical and electronic safety features to reduce collateral damage. And a modern sea mine can identify and classify the target very precisely, while being devastatingly effective.”
DA-Group currently delivers its sea mines technology and its modular, automated minelaying system to five countries across three continents, and it expects more
demand in the near future. “The sea mine is back, and the Finnish navy can help,” says Takanen. “We know how to build and deploy mines, the seeker heads are becoming smarter, safety is improving, and new features are making them more attractive.” “Now, you can direct the underwater blast so that the shock energy goes in a specific direction, and as mines are becoming more directed and more intelligent they become even more effective as a weapons system,” notes Tornivaara. “In fact, they are better than missiles or torpedoes because you can lay mines early on in a conflict and it is not considered an act of war, while firing a missile is.” Sea mines are no longer the dumb, random floating bombs they once were. They are instead smart, tactical and strategic armaments that are once again proving their worth in the theatre of war. For Finland, they have always been a first-choice defensive weapon, so the country’s leading developers, notably DA-Group, are truly at the cutting-edge of the technology. ●
www.da-group.fi
Defence & Security Systems International /
www.defence-and-security.com
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