Finland Completes Hull for Pohjanmaa-Class Lead Corvette

4 February, 2025 The hull of the Pohjanmaa-class lead corvette. Source: Finnish Defense Forces Logistics Directorate (PVLOGL). The Finnish shipbuilding company RMC (Rauma Marine Constructions) has completed the construction of the hull for the Pohjanmaa-class lead corvette.

This was reported by the Finnish Defense Forces Logistics Directorate (PVLOGL). The construction of the lead ship of this class began in April 2024, and the second one in October. Finland plans to commission them in stages from 2027 to 2029.

Completion of the entire series of four corvettes is scheduled for 2029. The corvettes are to replace the H?meenmaa minesweepers and Rauma missile boats.

Rendering of the new Pohjanmaa corvette. Photo credits: Finnish Ministry of Defense

Pohjanmaa

Pohjanmaa corvettes will be the largest in the Finnish Navy, with a displacement of 4300 tons.

Their key feature will be a design adapted for operation in harsh Arctic conditions. The corvettes will comply with ice class 1A, which will allow them to operate smoothly even in difficult ice conditions. The vessel will be equipped with a combined power plant, which will include a GE LM2500 gas turbine and four MAN 12V175D diesel engines.

As a result, the corvette will be able to reach a maximum speed of 26 knots and will have a range of 3,500 nautical miles (5,632 km).

Weapons and radar systems on the new Pohjanmaa corvette. Photo credits: Naval Analyses

The SS2030 sonar will be installed in the bow, and the SD9500 will be used as a towed locator. The contract for the purchase of these sonar systems was signed in 2020.

The corvette's armament will include a 57-mm Bofors SAK Mk3 universal automatic gun and a Mk.41 vertical launcher with 8 cells that can hold 32 ESSM anti-aircraft missiles in quad-packs.

In addition, the ship is equipped with 8 transport and launch containers for Israeli Gabriel V anti-ship missiles capable of hitting surface targets at a distance of up to 400 km.

To combat underwater threats, the ship is equipped with torpedo tubes for Swedish Torpedo 47 ASW torpedoes.