Researcher: Finland should acquire submarines

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"Finland should equip its Navy with submarines", says National Defence University special researcher Alpo Juntunen.
      Juntunen justifies his view with the changes taking place in the Gulf of Finland and with the fact that all of Finland’s neighbouring countries have submarines: Russia has two submarines in operation in the Baltic Sea, Sweden has four, and the Baltic States are backed up by the NATO submarine fleet.
      In Juntunen's view submarines have a considerable impact on the quality of underwater surveillance.
     
The researcher, who specialises in Russian defence policy, presented the idea of acquiring submarines at an Advisory Board for Defence Information seminar on Thursday, where the significance of energy from a security policy point of view was discussed.
      Juntunen is of the opinion that because of the Russian oil shipments, the Gulf of Finland is becoming a strategic nodal point equivalent to the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, with the exception that the Gulf of Finland is covered with ice in winter. Because of the accident risk, Juntunen sees the increased number of oil shipments in the Gulf of Finland as a greater environmental threat than the construction of an underwater gas pipeline.
     
Another Russia expert, researcher Ilmari Susiluoto, points out that building the gas pipeline would legitimise the presence of the Russian military at sea. "If the pipeline comes, the military will follow", he argues.
     
One submarine would cost EUR 200-300 million. "Since Finland’s military budget is EUR 600 million per year, it is clear we cannot afford any subs", Juntunen estimates. "Instead, we should aim to join forces with possible allies."
      As possible partners Juntunen lists the Swedes. He also notes that the Russians would probably be willing to cooperate.
      The Parliamentary representatives of the various parties did not warm to the idea of acquiring submersibles. They thought the money should be used for something else instead, such as improved oil spill damage preparedness, Johanna Sumuvuori of the Green League added.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish environment officials criticise plans for undersea gas pipeline (28.2.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat