Lithuania and Latvia Order Watercat M18 Armored Modular Craft from Marine Alutech
The Latvian and Lithuanian Ministries of Defence have signed a contract with the Finnish company Marine Alutech Oy Ab for the procurement of combat boats to be developed on the Watercat M18 platform as part of the Common Future Multipurpose Attack Craft (CFMAC) program. This contract is the second step after the 2024 Technical Agreement between Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland to strengthen regional defense.
Under this contract, Lithuania will purchase two advanced Fast Multi-Purpose Attack Boats from Marine Alutech. These boats will be equipped with a Spike NLOS anti-tank guided missile launcher with an operational range of up to 32 km and a remote-controlled weapon system using a 12.7 mm machine gun. Details of the agreement with Latvia are not yet known.
According to the Lithuanian defense ministry, the boats, which will be dedicated to the Lithuanian Navy and operated by members of the Coastal Defense Battalion, will contribute to preventing threats from the Gulf of Finland to the Kuron Lagoon.
“The new multi-purpose attack craft will strengthen our navy and ensure a faster response to security challenges in our regional waters. Aside from that, this contract is an excellent example of small countries building a stronger and more effective defence through cooperation thus contributing to stability and security in the entire Baltic region,” said Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė.
Known as the Jehu or U-700 class in Finnish Navy service, the Watercat M18 is a multipurpose boat specially designed by Marine Alutech for the archipelago, coastal and offshore conditions. The vessels support many missions, including troop transport, evacuation, landing, patrol, escort, and combat support. Operated by six crew, the boats can carry up to 25 troops in a closed cabin. The aluminum hull and composite superstructure offer ballistic protection and resistance to CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) threats.
The Watercat M18 AMC is 19.9 meters long, 4.3 meters wide, and has a draft of 1.1 meters. Her displacement at full load is 32 tons. Powered by two 660 kW Scania diesel engines and equipped with Rolls-Royce water jet propulsion, it can reach a speed of 35 knots and range 200 nautical miles.