Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva
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An increase in sightings of submarines in Finnish waters has prompted the Finnish Navy to offer clarification and advice to the public.
The matter gained attention this week when a member of the public photographed a submarine in the Archipelago Sea. The image circulated widely online, leading to speculation about the vessel’s origin. The Finnish Navy later confirmed it was Swedish and had been taking part in the Narrow Waters 25 naval exercise.
Finland has no submarines in its fleet. Any submarine seen in Finnish waters therefore belongs to another state.
According to Annele Apajakari, Chief Public Affairs Officer of the Finnish Navy, it is not uncommon to encounter submarines in Finnish territorial waters, especially during international exercises. These operations, if not covered under international agreements, must be cleared in advance by the Finnish Defence Forces.
Apajakari said Sweden, Germany, Poland and Russia operate submarines in the Baltic Sea. Sightings are more visible due to increased public mobility and the ubiquity of smartphones, she added.
“People are on the move a lot more these days and everyone has a smartphone in their pocket,” she said.
She noted that many reported sightings turn out to be false. For example, small islands such as Halliluoto and Lokkiluoto off Helsinki’s coast are frequently mistaken for surfaced submarines due to their shape and the presence of military infrastructure.
The navy has not released figures on the actual number of submarine operations in Finnish waters, citing confidentiality.
Aleksi Uttula of Traficom, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, said that members of the public should treat submarines like any other vessel.
“They follow the same traffic rules, such as speed limits and giving way,” Uttula said.
When surfaced, a submarine must display its flag, in accordance with international maritime regulations.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
