The Finnish Navy has awarded a contract to Saab to upgrade the combat management and fire control systems of the navy’s Rauma Class missile boats.

Under the Skr20m ($2.5m), Saab will upgrade the vessels’ combat management and fire control systems to 9LV mk4, the fourth-generation naval command and control system.

Saab will carry out the mid-life upgrade to the vessels as a subcontractor to Patria Aviation.

Work is scheduled to begin in August 2010, and the first system is expected to be delivered in November 2012 with the remaining three being delivered in 2013.

The upgraded vessels are expected to have operational readiness from 2014.