VIDEO: RMC launches second Pohjanmaa class corvette

Photo: Rauma Marine Constructions

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), the Finnish shipyard tapped to play a critical role in U.S. Arctic Security Cutter icebreaker program, this week marked another milestone in Finland’s Squadron 2020 Pohjanmaa class corvette project, launching the second corvette in the Finnish Navy program. All four vessels of the Squadron 2020 Project are now under construction at the same time – the project has progressed to the full series-production stage.

The second multi-purpose corvette reached the launch stage in less than a year after keel laying. The first vessel of the Pohjanmaa Class was launched exactly one year ago and is currently at the outfitting stage. The keel laying ceremony for the third vessel took place in January 2026 and the production of the fourth corvette started that same week.

“The multi-purpose corvettes are now in series production and in terms of building technology we represent the highest level,” says Mika Niemenin, RMC’s CEO and president. “Frame building has proceeded excellently with the second vessel achieving launch readiness in less than a year. At the same time, it has to be admitted that the integration of systems as well electrical engineering works have proven very challenging. This has taught us a lot and we will utilize the lessons learned to the full with the following vessels,

RMC says that, during the production process, it has developed competencies and operating models in a goal-oriented manner and that the experience gained will translate into an expedited production process for the third and fourth corvette.

“Together, we have created a capable national and Nordic ecosystem of military shipbuilding that has accomplished the design and building of an exceptionally complex arctic vessel concept following an excellent learning curve,” says Brigadier General Engineering Juha-Matti Ylitalo, Deputy Chief of Finnish Defense Forces. ‘The knowledge and industrial capability created in the process has attracted also international attention as witnessed by the order book of the shipyard.”

“Our cooperation with the Finnish Defense Forces Logistics Command and the Navy is close,” says Nieminen. During the project, we have together resolved technical challenges and adapted to changes in requirements – the deteriorating security environment has resulted in completely new expectations of capabilities for naval warfare and we have implemented the required changes together with the client to ensure that, when completed, the vessels will meet these requirements, Nieminen continues.

The direct employment impact of the Squadron 2020 Project is more than 3,600 person years in Finland. RMC can boast a strong order base: in addition to the four multi-purpose corvettes for the Finnish Navy, the shipyard is building two icebreakers for the United States Coast Guard.

The Pohjanmaa Class multi-purpose corvettes are designed for the demanding conditions of the Baltic Sea, including the ice winters. The vessels meet the requirements of modern naval warfare and form the future operative backbone of the Finnish Navy, which will commission the vessels in stages in 2027–2029.