Imagine a low-level frigate. In the naval vessel sequences of many countries, there are escort ships known as "maritime guards" or "multi taskers at sea". Some of these frigates are domestically developed, while others are purchased from other countries. There will also be escort ships joining the Finnish Navy's fleet sequence soon. In early February, according to foreign media reports, the country's first low-level frigate had completed and painted its hull. According to the relevant plans of Finland, low-level frigates will serve as the main force of the country's navy for a considerable period of time in the future. Overall, Finnish low class frigates can be seen as a "native" multi-purpose ship. 'Tu Sheng' refers to Finland handing over the contract to build this class of warship to a domestic company with little experience in building large ships, making Lauma Marine Construction (RMC) the main contractor. In order to make up for its lack of shipbuilding experience, Lauma Marine Construction has invited several Finnish companies with certain strength to join, striving to achieve the construction of the ship locally. 'Tu Chang' refers to the ship's construction process that fully considers the characteristics of the domestic usage environment and practical needs. For example, Finnish naval vessels mainly operate in the waters near the Arctic Circle, such as the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea. These waters are prone to ice formation in winter, with ice layers up to about 1 meter thick. Therefore, low-level frigates are designed with ice breaking capabilities. During the construction process, the manufacturer reinforced the bow deck and stern propeller structure of the ship, allowing it to navigate in waters with ice thickness of about 1.5 meters. The sea water in this area is relatively shallow, and the conditions for conducting mine warfare are good. Therefore, the ship has specially strengthened its mine laying and anti mine capabilities. Not only has it designed a sweeping/mine laying mission cabin, but it can also carry a helicopter to carry out anti submarine, mine laying, and reconnaissance missions. The Finnish Navy has a wide variety of active vessels, with a long service life and mostly small in size. According to the modernization plan of the country's navy, the purpose of building low-level frigates is to replace some active missile boats and sweeping/mine laying boats. Therefore, the displacement of this class of warship is set to 4000 tons, with a length of 117 meters and a width of 16 meters, to accommodate a variety of mission payloads and weapons and equipment with different functions. Although it is a "native born" ship, in order to ensure its combat performance, Finnish authorities still choose to purchase most of the electronic equipment and weapons on board. For example, in terms of power equipment, choose products from related companies in the United States and Germany; In terms of combat systems, sensor provision, and integration, mature products from companies such as Saab and Kongsberg are selected; In terms of weapons and equipment, the Mk41 vertical launch system capable of carrying 32 improved "Sea Sparrow" missiles and 8 Israeli IAI developed Gabriel V anti-ship missiles were purchased externally. Through various efforts, the low-level frigate will be developed into a multifunctional medium-sized warship that combines anti-ship and anti submarine, air defense and anti missile, sea sweeping/mine laying, land-based firepower support, serving as a maritime formation command platform, and an important information node capability. Its hull adopts a closed stealth design, with a sailing speed of 26 knots, a range of over 6000 kilometers, and a crew of 73. According to the current schedule, the first low-level frigate will be delivered to the Finnish Navy in 2027, and the other three will be put into use in 2029. According to expert judgment, with stealth design, sensitive sensing devices, highly automated navigation systems, and modern combat methods, low-level frigates are likely to become a new maritime force active in the waters near the Arctic Circle after completion. (New Society)