EML Raju

Last updated

Raju P6732 DSC05514.jpg
Raju
History
Flags of Estonia - Border Guards.svg Estonia
NameRaju (203)
Operator Police and Border Guard Board
Ordered16 May 2016
Builder Baltic Workboats
Laid down16 December 2016
Sponsored by Kersti Kaljulaid
Christened16 August 2018
Completed16 August 2018
Acquired16 August 2018
Commissioned16 August 2018
Decommissioned2 January 2023
FateTransferred to Estonian Navy
Naval Ensign of Estonia.svgEstonia
NameEML Raju (P6732)
Operator Estonian Navy
Commissioned3 January 2023
HomeportTallinn
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class & type PATROL 45 WP HYBRID patrol vessel
Displacement235 tons full
Length44.6 m (146 ft 4 in)
Beam8.8 m (28 ft 10 in)
Draught2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Propulsion
  • 2 x MTU 16V4000
  • 1 x Sleipner bow thruster
Speed27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Complement10
Armament
  • 1X12.7 machine gun
  • 2X7.62 machine gun

EML Raju (P6732) is a PATROL 45 WP HYBRID-class patrol vessel. Built in 2018 by Baltic Workboats, it is the first battery-powered ship in the Estonian Navy. [1] This is a multi-purpose patrol vessel with anti-pollution capabilities. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

History

Transfer to the Estonian Navy

On 3 January 2023, four larger ships of the Police and Border Guard Board were transferred to the Estonian Navy as part of the liquidation of the police fleet. [5] This improved responsiveness in the Estonian maritime area and provided Estonia with a better defense capability. [6]

2025 Baltic Sea tanker confrontation

Oil Tanker Jaguar "PRIMO STEALTH" IMO- 9293002 - CRUDE OIL TANKER 58418 tons. (10219643716).jpg
Oil Tanker Jaguar

In May 2025, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen announced a package of anti-Russian sanctions that included a number of tankers that transport Russian oil under the flags of convenience.

On May 13 EML Raju, supported by an Estonian Air Force M28 Skytruck aircraft and an Estonian Border Guard AW139 helicopter attempted to intercept the Indian owned, Gabonese registered oil tanker Jaguar . [7] [8] The ship had been transiting the Baltic Sea, bound for the Russian port of Primorsk. Estonian authorities requested to inspect the ship, citing its suspicious flag and insurance documentation, but the crew refused to comply.

After this message, Indian and Russian crew members could be heard on the bridge stating: "We are being met by a helicopter, they are demanding that we drop anchor.".Following this, a Russian Air Force Su-35 scrambled to provide the ship with an escort. As a result of the arrival of the Russian aircraft, plans to board the ship were abandoned. [9]

In an interview with Estonian media, the Chief of the Estonian Defense Forces Gen. Vahur Karus acknowledged the event, but acknowledged the professionalism of the Russian aircraft.

Afterwards, Estonian sources acknowledged that a Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet had entered Estonian airspace for a period of two minutes and flown towards the ship in response. As a result, a Portuguese Air Force F-16 was scrambled from Ämari Air Base to conduct reconnaissance on the Russian aircraft. Jaguar continued its transit through the Baltic Sea via Gogland, before arriving at Primorsk on the morning of 15 May 2025. [10] The failed interception of the ship raised shortcomings with the operational capability of the Estonian Navy, with Jüri Saska stating that the services measures were constrained due to operating in international waters, as well as attempting a boarding action of a large vessel, for which Raju was not suitably equipped for. [11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Roosipuu, Tauri (15 December 2018). "Reostustõrjelaev "Raju" - esimene akutoitel laev Eestis". Eesti Merendusajakiri (4): 18 – via Digar.
  2. ↑ "Galerii: milline näeb välja uus patrull-laev Raju?". 16 August 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  3. ↑ "Patrull-laevade divisjon" . Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "RAJU" . Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  5. ↑ Krjukov, Aleksander; Lauri, Vahur; Nael, Merili (3 January 2023). "Politsei- ja piirivalveameti laevad alustavad tegevust mereväe laevastikus". Eesti Rahvusringhääling . Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "Politsei- ja piirivalveameti laevad alustavad tegevust mereväe laevastikus". 3 January 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "JAGUAR, Crude Oil Tanker - Details and current position - IMO 9293002 - VesselFinder". www.vesselfinder.com. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "Dark fleet politics escalate as Russia scrambles jet to protect 'nationless' tanker". Lloyd's List. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  9. ↑ Charpentreau, Clement (15 May 2025). "Russian jet enters Estonia airspace to shield 'ghost tanker'". www.aerotime.aero. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  10. ↑ "Trend towards pressure on Russia's civilian fleet is taking shape in Baltic — expert". TASS. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  11. ↑ ERR, Vahur Lauri, ERR | (17 May 2025). "Experts: Estonia's failed shadow fleet tanker operation reveals shortcomings". ERR. Retrieved 18 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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