Kampela-class landing craft

Kampela 3
Class overview
Builders	Enso-Gutzeit (2 ships) Finnmekano (Kampela 3) [1]
Operators	Finnish Navy
Preceded by	Kala class
Built	1976–1979 [1]
Completed	3 [1]
Scrapped	1 [2]
General characteristics
Type	Utility landing craft
Displacement	240 t (240 long tons) [1]
Length	32.5 m (106 ft 8 in) [1]
Beam	8 m (26 ft 3 in) [1]
Draft	1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) [1]
Propulsion	2 × 170 kW (230 hp) [1]
Speed	9 knots (17 km/h) [1]
Capacity	95 t (93 long tons) [1]
Complement	10 [1]
Armament	ZU-23-2 [3] 50 Naval mines [1]

The Kampela-class landing craft were a series of utility landing craft operated by the Finnish Navy from the late 1970s to 2010s. Kampela (Flatfish) class had three ships.

Design

The Kampela-class design was started in mid-1970s after the 2nd parliamentary defense review. Since the preceding Kala-class landing craft were considered successful the Kampela class was designed as a modernized and somewhat enlarged version of Kala class. The Kampela class has the same basic catamaran structure with two hulls, cargo area between them and bridge in the stern. The Kampela class was also fitted with two liquid storage tanks for liquid transport and active rudders for improved manoeuvering. Similar to the Kalas, the Kampela class can be used as a minelayer. ^{[1] [4]}

Construction and service

Kampela 1 and Kampela 2, intended for coastal artillery, were built by Enso-Gutzeit dockyard in Savonlinna. The choice of the shipyard was partially done to help employment in the region. Since Savonlinna is located on Lake Saimaa the ships had to transit the Saimaa Canal to reach the Baltic Sea. As warships were not permitted to travel the canal the ships were officially owned by Enso-Gutzeit and sailing under merchant flag until they were handed over to Finnish Defence Forces in Kotka. The navy Kampela 3 was built by Finnmekano. The ships were constructed between 1976 and 1979 and they joined the Kala-class in transporting heavy equipment. ^{[4] [5]}

In 1996 Kampela 3 was modified for minehunting duties and equipped with Bofors Double Eagle remotely operated underwater vehicle. The ship was attached to the 4th Mine squadron and she was also used for other underwater tasks. ^{[6] [7]}

Decommissioning

The Kampela class was decommissioned from Finnish Navy service in the 2010s. Kampela 1 and Kampela 2 were sold for civilian ownership. ^[2] Kampela 3 was scrapped in 2022 in Upinniemi. ^[8]

References

1. Auvinen, Visa (1983). Leijonalippu merellä[The lion flag on sea] (in Finnish). Etelä-Suomen Kustannus Oy. pp. 136–137. ISBN   951-95781-1-0.
2. Helen, Heikki. "FNS Kampela 1". Heikki Helenin laivasivut. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
3. "Kampela-luokka (Kuljetuslautta)" [Kampela-class (utility landing craft)]. Finnish Navy . 2006-08-10. Archived from the original on 2006-09-06. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
4. Tuurnala, Alpo (2004). Harmaa laivat[The gray ships] (in Finnish). John Nurmisen Säätiö. p. 22. ISBN   952-9745-16-8.
5. Vappula, Auvo (1979). "Meripuolustuksen alushankinnat" [Navy ship purchases](PDF). Rannikon Puolustaja (in Finnish). No. 2 #22. Rannikkotykistön Upseeriyhdistys. pp. 12–19. ISSN   1239-0445 . Retrieved 2025-10-19.
6. Karhuvaara, Eero (2002). "Hiljaa hyvä tulee" [Slow and steady](PDF). Rannikon Puolustaja (in Finnish). No. 3 #45. Rannikkotykistön Upseeriyhdistys. pp. 18–20. ISSN   1239-0445 . Retrieved 2025-10-19.
7. Niemi, Matti (2007). "Keltainen sukellusvene nimeltä Linda" [Yellow submarine called Linda](PDF). Rannikon Puolustaja (in Finnish). No. 2 #50. Rannikkotykistön Upseeriyhdistys. pp. 132–133. ISSN   1239-0445 . Retrieved 2025-10-19.
8. Lusa, Henna. "Kampelavanhus pilkottiin paloihin Upinniemen telakalla" [Old Kampela was cut to pieces in Upinniemi dockyard]. Millog (in Finnish). Retrieved 2025-10-19.