Finland Launches Advanced Pohjanmaa-Class Corvette to Strengthen Multi-Role Naval Capability.

On May 21, 2025, the first Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvette for the Finnish Navy was launched at Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) shipyard as part of the Squadron 2020 programme. The launch followed technical preparations initiated earlier that month, during which the vessel’s completed hull was transferred along a heavy transport ramp onto a modified submersible barge, moved to the harbour, submerged, and towed to a dry dock for further work, including mast installation. This marks the first time a vessel in the programme has entered the water. Representatives from the Finnish Defence Forces, the Finnish Navy, the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Institute, Saab, Lloyd’s Register, and RMC staff were present during the launch, which reflects the collaborative framework of the project.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are the largest surface combatants built for the Finnish Navy since the coastal defence ships Ilmarinen and Väinämöinen in the 1930s. (Picture source: RMC)

The Squadron 2020 programme was conceived in 2008 and formally launched in 2015 with the aim of replacing seven ageing vessels in the Finnish Navy: four Rauma-class missile boats, two Hämeenmaa-class minelayers, and one decommissioned Pohjanmaa minelayer. Following delays related to the resignation of Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s government in March 2019, which prevented immediate procurement decisions, a shipbuilding contract valued at €647.6 million was signed with RMC on 26 September 2019. Saab AB was selected as the combat system supplier after being shortlisted alongside Lockheed Martin Canada and Atlas Elektronik. Design work continued through 2022 and required additional time beyond the original schedule. Steel cutting for the first vessel began on 30 October 2023, the keel was laid on 11 April 2024, and the hull was completed and painted by December 2024. The programme experienced delays of between six and eighteen months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and extended technical development phases.

The second ship began construction in October 2024, several weeks ahead of schedule, with keel laying taking place on 8 May 2025. Construction of the third and fourth vessels is expected to follow later in 2025. RMC and its subsidiary RMC Defence Oy are responsible for building all four ships. Investments made by RMC to support the programme include a closed multi-purpose construction hall completed in early 2023, upgrades to steel production facilities, a launching barge currently modified for this purpose, and heavy transfer ramps. These facilities allow secure, year-round production and meet NATO safety classification standards. The employment impact of the project is estimated at more than 3,600 person-years in Finland. The class continues the Finnish Navy tradition of naming ships after regions in Finland, with “Pohjanmaa” referring to the Ostrobothnia region. The exact names of the four ships have not yet been publicly announced.

The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes have a length of 117 metres, a beam of 16 to 16.5 metres, and a draught of 5 metres. Each ship has a displacement of approximately 4,300 tonnes. These are the largest surface combatants built for the Finnish Navy since the coastal defence ships Ilmarinen and Väinämöinen in the 1930s. Each ship is crewed by approximately 70 to 73 personnel. The vessels are designed for endurance of 14 days and have a range of 3,500 nautical miles. They are built for year-round operations in the Baltic Sea, including the seasonally freezing conditions of Finnish waters. The hull is reinforced for ice, equivalent to commercial ice class 1A. Aker Arctic supplies the ARC ILMS (Ice Load Monitoring System), which measures and analyses structural ice loads, in addition to providing the controllable pitch propellers, pitch control systems, propulsion shafts, bearings, and seals. Aker Arctic is also responsible for installation supervision and the commissioning of the propulsion system.

Propulsion is provided by a Combined Diesel-Electric and Gas (CODLAG) configuration. The system includes a General Electric LM2500 gas turbine and four MAN 12V175D diesel generator sets, each rated at 1,920 kW, for a total output of 28 megawatts. Two shafts with ice-strengthened controllable pitch propellers and two bow thrusters enable speeds over 26 knots. During anti-submarine operations, two of the diesel generators are mounted on double-resilient supports within soundproof enclosures to minimise acoustic emissions. The propulsion system supports both efficient patrol speeds and rapid manoeuvring, allowing for flexibility in missions ranging from territorial surveillance to NATO operations.

Steel cutting for the first corvette began on 30 October 2023, the keel was laid on 11 April 2024, and the hull was completed and painted by December 2024. (Picture source: RMC)

The onboard combat management system is Saab’s 9LV, which integrates with multiple sensors and weapon systems. Surveillance is provided by Saab’s Sea Giraffe 4A FF fixed-face AESA radar and the Sea Giraffe 1X short-range 3D radar, installed on the Saab Lightweight Integrated Mast (SLIM). Two Saab CEROS 200 radar/optronic fire control directors support targeting functions. The sonar suite includes Kongsberg’s SS2030 hull-mounted sonar, the SD9500 dipping sonar, and Patria’s Sonac DTS dual-tow system, which combines an active variable-depth sonar and a passive towed array. Saab’s TactiCall integrated communication system is used for command, control, and coordination with other defence units. This sensor and command system enables operations in surface, air, and sub-surface domains and supports integration with joint force components.

Armament includes a forward-mounted 57 mm Bofors Mk3 naval gun originally from the Hamina-class missile boats, two Saab Trackfire Remote Weapon Stations, and four Rheinmetall Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) decoy launchers. Each ship is equipped with eight Gabriel V subsonic anti-ship missiles, selected over the Naval Strike Missile, Exocet, Harpoon, and RBS15, and designated PTO 2020 in Finnish service. Air defence is provided by 32 Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM Block 2 surface-to-air missiles housed in eight Mk 41 VLS cells, designated ITO 20 in Finland. The ships are also fitted with Saab Torped 47 lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes and have the capacity to deploy up to 100 PB 17 naval mines via two stern-mounted mine rails. The vessels include aviation facilities for a helicopter and unmanned systems.

The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are designed to conduct multi-role missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, minelaying, surveillance, command and control, and protection of sea lines and territorial integrity. The ships are configured to operate independently in Baltic Sea conditions and can participate in NATO’s Standing Naval Forces. Their design supports fire missions against ground targets, real-time situational awareness, electronic warfare, and integrated operations with other Finnish Defence Forces components. The inclusion of torpedo capability restores a dimension of naval combat power that had been absent from Finnish service since the 1970s. The ships’ structure incorporates features to reduce radar visibility and acoustic signature.

The total estimated cost of the Squadron 2020 programme has increased from €1.2 billion to €1.45 billion. The Finnish Ministry of Defence has indicated that this budget covers ship construction, combat system integration, and related programme costs. In 2022, an additional €104 million in funding was proposed for the years 2025 to 2027. The programme has attracted public debate regarding its scope, cost, classification, and strategic intent. Critics have questioned whether the vessels are too large and visible for Finnish coastal waters and suggested the design may reflect requirements for international missions. Flotilla Admiral Jori Harju and Commander Pekka Hietakangas have responded by stating that the size is driven by the need to integrate multiple roles, including minelaying, within a single hull and that the ships are tailored for Finnish operational conditions rather than foreign blue-water models. The Pohjanmaa-class vessels are expected to enter service between 2027 and 2029 and remain operational into the 2050s.

The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are expected to enter service between 2027 and 2029 and remain operational into the 2050s. (Picture source: Havainnekuva)