EML Raju

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]

Raju
History
Estonia
Name	Raju (203)
Operator	Police and Border Guard Board
Ordered	16 May 2016
Builder	Baltic Workboats
Laid down	16 December 2016
Sponsored by	Kersti Kaljulaid
Christened	16 August 2018
Completed	16 August 2018
Acquired	16 August 2018
Commissioned	16 August 2018
Decommissioned	2 January 2023
Fate	Transferred to Estonian Navy
Estonia
Name	EML Raju (P6732)
Operator	Estonian Navy
Commissioned	3 January 2023
Homeport	Tallinn
Status	In service
General characteristics
Class & type	PATROL 45 WP HYBRID patrol vessel
Displacement	235 tons full
Length	44.6 m (146 ft 4 in)
Beam	8.8 m (28 ft 10 in)
Draught	2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Propulsion	2 x MTU 16V4000 1 x Sleipner bow thruster
Speed	27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Complement	10
Armament	1X12.7 machine gun 2X7.62 machine gun

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

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

• List of active Estonian Navy ships