Rauma Marine Constructions shipyard will construct the Pohjanmaa-class multi-role corvettes in Rauma, Finland. The corvette development is part of the €1.23bn ($1.36bn) Squadron 2020 project, which will replace seven ageing vessels of the Finnish Navy.
The Defence Forces Logistics Command signed the shipbuilding contract with Rauma Marine Constructions for four Pohjanmaa-class corvettes in September 2019.
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The construction of the first corvette will commence in 2022 and the vessel is scheduled to become operational as part of the Finnish Navy in 2023.
The corvettes can be deployed in anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and mine-laying missions.
Pohjanmaa-class design and features
The Pohjanmaa-class multi-role corvettes will feature an ice-strengthened hull, suitable for navigation in ice and shallow waters. The hull is powered by a modern propulsion system, which will ensure high speed and low underwater noise levels.
The stern side of the hull will contain a flight deck to accommodate a single helicopter or multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The vessels will also contain a hangar facility for a helicopter.
The warships will be 114m-long, will have a beam of 16m and a draught of 5m. The corvette displacement will weigh 3,900t. Each ship will be manned by a crew of 70, while accommodation facilities will be available for up to 120 staff members.
Command and control
The Saab 9LV combat management system (CMS) onboard the corvettes will serve as the command and control centre. The CMS will incorporate surveillance sensors, weapons and associated systems.
The open architecture of the system will enable the integration of third-party sensors, armament and systems. It will allow the crew to command and control onboard sensors and weapons and perform threat evaluation, mission planning, weapons assignment and target engagement.
TactiCall integrated communication system will support crew communications.
The vessels will feature a Saab lightweight integrated mast (SLIM), incorporating Sea Giraffe 4A fixed face, multi-role naval surveillance radar, Sea Giraffe 1X short-range naval radar, variable depth sonar, Ceros 200 radar and electro-optical fire control directors.
Weapon systems
Bofors 57mm naval gun will be the main weapon installed on the bow deck. The corvettes will feature two Trackfire remote weapon stations with small, medium and heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers and lightweight medium-calibre cannons.
The ITO20 surface-to-air missile system on the corvette will integrate Mk 41 vertical launchers for firing 32 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM). Each Pohjanmaa-class warship will also be armed with eight Gabriel 5 surface-to-surface or anti-ship missiles.
Saab lightweight torpedoes (SLWTs) and naval mines will be installed onboard the ships for using together with anti-submarine warfare. The SLWT can engage enemy submarines at a maximum depth of 300m.
Countermeasures
The on-board Saab naval laser warning system, electronic support measures (ESM) and electronic countermeasures (ECM) systems will improve the self-defence capabilities of the corvettes.
The warships will also be equipped with four multi-ammunition soft-kill systems (MASS) that can decoy incoming sensor-guided missiles.
Pohjanmaa-class propulsion
The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command placed a contract with Aker Arctic Technology for the supply of propulsion systems to four Pohjanmaa-class multi-role corvettes in September 2019. The contract covers the design, supply, installation and commissioning of the systems.
