Kuha-class minesweeper (1974)

The Kuha-class minesweepers were a class of coastal minesweepers built for the Finnish Navy. Constructed in the 1970s, these vessels served as the backbone of Finland's mine countermeasures capabilities for several decades. The class consisted of three ships: Kuha, Kiiski, and Kala.

The ships were designed for operations in the shallow and often challenging waters of the Baltic Sea. Their primary role was to detect, identify, and neutralize naval mines, ensuring the safety of Finnish territorial waters and shipping lanes. They were equipped with a variety of minehunting and minesweeping equipment, including mechanical sweeps, influence sweeps, and sonar.

Key characteristics of the Kuha-class included a relatively small size, shallow draft, and maneuverability, making them well-suited for operating in confined coastal areas. They were constructed with wooden hulls, which offered advantages in terms of reduced magnetic signature, a crucial feature for minesweeping operations.

Over their service life, the Kuha-class minesweepers underwent several upgrades and modifications to enhance their capabilities and extend their operational lifespan. They were eventually replaced by newer, more modern mine countermeasures vessels. The decommissioning of the Kuha-class marked the end of an era for the Finnish Navy's minesweeping force, but they played a vital role in maintaining maritime security for many years.