Finland's border guard buys three hovercraft

A Griffon Marine 2000TD hovercraft. Three of the craft were purchased by the Finnish Border Guard in December 2025. (Griffon Marine)

The Finnish Border Guard (Rajavartiolaitos: FBG) ordered three hovercraft from the UK's Griffon Marine in December 2025 in a contract of undisclosed value. After a European Union (EU)-wide tender process, the FBG chose the Griffon STD 2000TD model as best for its coastal operations – especially in winter.

“Their purpose is to replace the current ones that have reached the end of their life cycle ensuring performance of the FBG's duties in all seasons and conditions where the operability of conventional vessels is limited,” said Major General Jari Tolppanen, FBG's Technical Division chief.

In the severe Baltic winter, hovercraft can access islands and coastal areas when the sea is covered in ice or frozen solid. Their uses include maritime border security.

The Griffon 2000TD is 12.7m long, 6.2m wide, and has a payload capacity of 2 tonnes. The FBG will get the most updated model with a turbo-charged diesel engine, variable pitch propeller, and advanced skirt design that will bring “a significant upgrade with enhanced performance and technology compared to current craft in service” Griffon Marine said.

Delivery is scheduled for 2026–27, with the procurement part of Finland's supplementary budget funded plan to maintain and develop operational readiness for maritime border and coastguard tasks.

For more information, please seeUS Coast Guard awards Arctic Security Cutter shipbuilding contracts .