The long-running project to equip the German Navy’s Sea Battalion with multi-purpose combat boats is expected to imminently see a contract awarded to the Finnish boat builder Marine Alutech for provision of up to 15 of their Watercat M18 AMC.

These fast assault boats are already in service in Finland as the JEHU class landing craft. They are boats just shy of 20 meters long, with aluminum hulls designed for shallow-water and archipelagic operations. With a displacement of 32 t and a maximum speed approaching 45 knots thanks to 2 Scania 660 kW diesel units driving Rolls Royce waterjets. Range is given at around 200 nautical miles (370 km). In Finland they are operated by a crew of 6.

The boat has internal space and seating for up to 25 fully equipped Marines who can land through a ramp opening in the bow. Importantly, the boats feature integrated ballistic protection equivalent to armored personnel carriers.

Finland has 12 JEHU boats in service, all of which have been armed with a Saab TRACKFIRE Remote Weapon Station (RWS). Lithuania ordered 2 boats of the same type in 2022. In Germany, the M18 has edged ahead of its main competitor, the CB90 from Sweden’s Saab.

The combat boats will provide enhanced tactical mobility of the sea battalion in a broad mission spectrum and to be used for amphibious, military evacuation, escort, patrol and for harbour protection operations. From what emerged previously about the project, the Bundeswehr plans a first buy of 10 boats, with another 5 to be swiftly added. The first deliveries are expected in 2029.

The procurement of a ‘Kampfboote’ has been in the plans for several years, with the analysis phase of the project launched all the way back in July 2017. A competition, specifically targeted at boat designs already operational with allied navies, was formally opened in June 2023.

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