“ The design of the corvettes pays particular attention to shock resistance , noise levels and stealth technology . The multi-role corvettes are the first vessel class in the Finnish Navy designed and constructed under the surveillance of the ship classification society , including the ship ’ s performance in ice ,” Ståhlhammar points out .
” The corvettes have been designed to navigate unaided even in relatively thick ice . This is practical as it enables the vessels to proceed from the Naval Base to open sea without ice-breaker assistance throughout the winter season .”
DESIGNED FOR LONG-TERM DURABILITY
The Finnish maritime defence has for a long time relied on shipbuilding expertise from Rauma , as most vessels that the Finnish Navy has adopted since 1990 have been built at Rauma . Furthermore , a significant number of vessels owned by the Finnish State , including all multipurpose icebreakers and Finnish Boarder Guard patrol boats , have been built , maintained , and repaired at Rauma shipyard .
” The new multipurpose corvettes are being built in Finland mainly for two reasons . One is to ensure that the domestic defence industries retain the capability to construct such vessels even in the foreseeable future . Also , it is crucial that the vessels can be repaired , maintained , and upgraded in Finland ,” Ståhlhammar emphasises .
The corvettes are being constructed in a new multipurpose workshop that has been built specifically for this project . The workshop will provide suitable conditions for the production and will enhance security and quality . RMC ’ s new steel produc-
and a speed of 26 knots ( 48 km / h ), with accommodation for a crew of 70 persons .
The four new ships will in time replace seven older vessels : the four Rauma-class fast-attack missile craft and two Hämeenmaa-class mine-laying ships , as well as one Pohjanmaa-class minelayer that was already decommissioned in 2013 .
FUNCTIONAL , DISCREET , AND ROBUST
According to Mr . Ståhlhammar , the preliminary planning was based on the customer ’ s concept . The ship designs were then further developed in close cooperation between RMC shipyard and the Finnish Defence Forces .
” Consequently , the final blueprints depict a fully functioning ship model , from all points of view .”
The new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes will be equipped with top-notch monitoring capacities for air , surface and underwater surveillance . They must also be capable of laying mines , defending themselves against hostile surface vessels as well as submarines and various airborne targets , and command maritime operations . Such vessels can be used in crisis management measures and as part of NATO ’ s Standing Naval Forces .
28 seatec 2 / 2023