Finland Lays Keel of Third Pohjanmaa-Class Corvette and Begins Construction of Fourth

At the Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) shipyard, work has officially started on the fourth and final multipurpose Pohjanmaa-class corvette for the Finnish Navy.

The keel of the third corvette was also laid during a ceremony held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Rauma shipyard.

The construction of the fourth corvette kicked off with the steel cutting process – the first practical step in production, marking the official start of the ship’s construction.

The construction of the first ship began in April 2024, it was launched in May 2025, and is currently undergoing outfitting.

The keel of the second corvette was laid in October 2024, and its hull was completed at the end of December 2025.

The construction of the third ship began in August 2025, and its keel has now been ceremonially laid.

Finland plans to gradually commission these ships into service between 2027 and 2029. The entire series is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.

The new corvettes, part of the Squadron 2020 project, are intended to replace the outdated minesweepers Hämeenmaa and the missile boats Rauma.

Pohjanmaa

The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes will be the largest ships in the Finnish Navy, with a displacement of 4,300 tons.

A key feature of these corvettes will be their design, adapted for operation in harsh Arctic conditions. The ships will have an ice class of 1A, enabling them to operate effectively even in challenging ice conditions.

The vessel will be equipped with a combined power plant, including a GE LM2500 gas turbine and four MAN 12V175D diesel engines.

Key Technical Specifications of the Pohjanmaa:

• Displacement: 4,300 tons
• Length: 117 meters
• Width: 16 meters
• Draft: 5 meters
• Maximum speed: 26 knots
• Range: 3,500 nautical miles
• Endurance: 14 days
• Crew: 73 personnel

Armament:

• 1 × Bofors 57 mm/70 SAK Mk3 gun
• 1 × 20-mm Meroka 2B weapon system
• 2 × 20-mm/90 Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns
• 8 × Gabriel V anti-ship missiles
• 8 × Mk 41 Vertical Launch System
• 32 × ESSM surface-to-air missiles
• 2 × ABCAS/SSTS depth charge throwers
• Saab Torped 47 torpedoes

Aviation:

• One helicopter