RMC Launches Third Pohjanmaa-Class Corvette for Finland

Finnish shipyard Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) launched on October 29 the third of four multipurpose Pohjanmaa-class corvettes intended for the Finnish Navy, built at its Rauma facility. The launch is part of the Squadron 2020 program and will now be followed by the vessel's outfitting work.

With this launch, three of the four corvettes are now in the water: the first two are in the outfitting phase, while the keel of the fourth was laid in August. According to RMC and the Finnish Navy, all four vessels are to be completed by 2029 and will enter service progressively, replacing seven older surface vessels in the fleet.

Each corvette measures 117 meters in length overall, with a beam of 16.5 meters, a draft of 5 meters, and a displacement of 4,300 tons, accommodating a crew of 70. They are designed to operate year-round in the demanding conditions of the Baltic Sea, carrying out maritime surveillance, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and mine-laying duties, with a combat system supplied by Saab based on the 9LV combat management system and Sea Giraffe radars.

RMC's President and CEO, Mika Nieminen, noted that the experience gained from each unit is applied to the construction of the following ones, which has improved manufacturing processes and production efficiency. Brigadier General Juha-Matti Ylitalo, Deputy Chief of the Logistics Command of the Finnish Defence Forces, stated that the launch of the third unit confirms the project's strong learning curve and the cooperation between the Rauma shipyard, Saab as the weapons systems supplier, and the Navy as the party responsible for the program's performance.

The original 2019 acquisition decision valued RMC's shipbuilding contract at €647.6 million ($723.8 million) and Saab's combat systems package at €412 million ($460.5 million). Amendments approved in 2023 added up to €37.97 million ($42.4 million) to RMC's contract and €60.34 million ($67.4 million) to Saab's package. RMC estimates that the Squadron 2020 program will generate more than 3,600 person-years of direct employment in Finland.