Germany: Final choice for new boats between CB-90 and M18

At the final selection for the selection of the winner, the German Armed Forces are under the program to acquire new high-speed personnel carriers. According to German defense website https://esut.de/, the final choice is between Sweden’s Saab CB-90s and Finnish Marine Alutech M18s. In total, the German Armed Forces intend to acquire 15 high-speed ships.

Within the framework of the international exhibition of marine systems “EuroNaval 2020” the Finnish Navy Alutech presented the high-speed multi-role vessel Watercat M18 AMC (Armored Modular Craft), which is in service in Finland as a class “Jurmo”. Developed in the late 2000s and early 2000s (built on behalf of Finland in 2012-2014 at a cost of €2.85 million per vessel). Its displacement is 32 tons (with full combat load), while its dimensions (length x width x draft) are 19.9m x 4.3m x 1.10m. It includes two Scania DI16 diesel engines with a maximum power of 1,150 hp each and two waterjets.

It has a maximum speed of 35 knots (65 km/h) with a full load or 45 knots (83 km/h) with a standard combat load. With a full combat load and a speed of 35 knots they achieve a maximum range of 370 kilometres. It requires a crew of two and can carry up to 24 fully equipped soldiers. They can integrate machine guns of various calibers into a remote-controlled turret, a 40mm automatic grenade launcher or a 120mm NEMO mortar. It is suitable for a range of missions such as troop transport, casualty and sick transport, amphibious operations, patrol, escort and coastal defense support missions.