Construction starts on Finland’s first Pohjanmaa-class corvette

Artist’s impression of the Pohjanmaa-class corvettes. (RMC)

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) has announced the start of production of the first Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvette on order for the Finnish Navy.

A steel-cutting ceremony was staged at RMC’s shipyard in Rauma, Finland, on 30 October.

Under its Squadron 2020 fleet renewal programme, the Finnish Navy is procuring four Pohjanmaa-class corvettes from RMC under a EUR647.6 million (USD707.4 million) design and construction contract awarded in 2019, with the build to be carried out by RMC’s subsidiary, RMC Defence.

Under current planning, the lead ship is expected to start sea trials in 2026, with all four ships to be delivered by 2029.

Intended to replace the Finnish Navy’s four Rauma-class fast attack craft, two Hämeenmaa-class minelayers, and the decommissioned minelayer Pohjanmaa, the Squadron 2020 vessels will be used for a wide range of missions, including anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare, as well as minelaying.