The Finnish Navy’s first Pohjanmaa-class corvette in the Squadron 2020 Project has been launched at Rauma shipyard.
As disclosed, the launching ceremony took place on May 22, 2025. According to Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), the Squadron 2020 Project is progressing according to the planned schedule.
The pace of construction will accelerate as construction work on the second and subsequent multi-role corvettes progresses. Construction of the second multi-role corvette started in October 2024 and its keel was laid on May 8, 2025.
“The ship being launched now is a strong demonstration of the close and goal-oriented cooperation between the Finnish Government, the Finnish Defence Forces, the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Unit, the Finnish Navy, Rauma Marine Constructions, Saab and all our industrial partners,” said Timo Ståhlhammar , Project Director of RMC’s fleet project.
RMC is building a total of four multi-purpose corvettes of the Pohjanmaa class for the Finnish Navy. The vessels are designed for year-round operation in all conditions encountered in the Baltic Sea.
The 117-meter-long corvettes will be constructed in a new multipurpose hall that has been built specifically for this project. They have a width of 16 meters, a draft of 5 meters, and are capable of traveling at 26 knots.
They are also capable of laying navy mines, performing defense actions against surface vessels, submarines, and various airborne targets, and conducting maritime operations. In addition to domestic operations, the vessels can be used in crisis management measures and as part of NATO’s Standing Naval Forces.
“Building corvettes strengthens the domestic shipbuilding industry and technological expertise. RMC is ready to utilize the capabilities brought by the Fleet 2020 project both domestically and internationally,” RMC’s CEO, Mika Nieminen, concluded.