The steel-cutting ceremony, which took place on 9 October at the Rauma shipyard, marked the start of the vessel’s construction phase. The event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Finnish Navy, and the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command.
Squadron 2020 involves the construction of four Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvettes designed to operate in the challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea. These vessels will replace some of the Finnish Navy’s existing fleet and serve as a key component of Finland’s naval defence strategy, supporting both national security and NATO operations.
Rauman telakalla käynnistyi 9.10. toisen #Pohjanmaa-luokan monitoimikorvetin rakentaminen perinteisellä steel cutting -seremonialla! RMC rakentaa 4 korvettia osana #Laivue2020 -hanketta, joka työllistää yli 3 600 henkilötyövuotta.🚢 #Merivoimat https://t.co/hIYpoxCXae pic.twitter.com/2Nl8wN1Rrk
— Rauma Marine Constructions (@RMCFinland) October 10, 2024
The first corvette’s keel was laid in Rauma in April, and the entire project is expected to be completed by 2029. The multi-purpose corvettes are designed to carry out a range of operations, including sea mine laying, air and surface defence, anti-submarine warfare, and maintaining sea lines of communication throughout the year, even in icy conditions.
Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of RMC, highlighted the company’s progress, noting that construction of the second corvette is ahead of schedule by several weeks. He attributed this to the significant development work carried out during the building of the first vessel, which has streamlined the process for future corvettes.
The corvettes are being built in a specialised closed hall at Rauma shipyard, ensuring the highest safety and quality standards. Nieminen also expressed confidence that the company’s expertise in constructing both warships and other special vessels, like icebreakers, would continue to attract new orders and clients in the future.
The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command, which commissioned the vessels, praised the ongoing collaboration with RMC. Brigadier General Juha-Matti Ylitalo affirmed that the mutual cooperation ensures the corvettes will meet the specific performance requirements of the Finnish Navy.
The direct employment impact of the Squadron 2020 project in Finland is estimated to be over 3,600 person-years. RMC’s current order book, which includes projects like the Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferries for Australia, extends to 2028 and is valued at over one billion euros.