The Finnish Navy’s Squadron 2020 program has reached a key production phase as Rauma Marine Constructions begins work on the fourth Pohjanmaa-class corvette, bringing all vessels in the class into concurrent construction. The milestone underscores Finland’s accelerated effort to modernize its naval forces amid rising security challenges in the Baltic region.
The lead ship of the class was launched in mid-2024 and is currently undergoing outfitting and installation of onboard systems. Meanwhile, structural work on the second corvette is nearing completion, while the third and fourth ships have now entered the manufacturing pipeline, keeping the program on schedule.
The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are designed to replace a diverse mix of legacy fast attack craft and minelayers, consolidating multiple mission roles into a single, modern platform. Optimized for harsh weather and ice conditions, the ships are intended to provide Finland with a flexible and survivable surface combat capability capable of operating throughout the year in the Baltic Sea.
Each vessel will carry a comprehensive weapons and sensor suite, including ESSM surface-to-air missiles, Gabriel anti-ship missiles, and anti-submarine warfare torpedoes, supported by a 57 mm naval gun and close-in defensive systems. Sensor integration is handled by Saab’s 9LV combat management system, linking surveillance radar, fire-control radar, hull-mounted sonar, and a towed array to deliver enhanced situational awareness and combat effectiveness.
