According to information published by the Finnish MoD on April 1, 2023, the Navy's strategic capability project, the Pohjanmaa-class corvette project, is progressing. The basic design and equipment procurement for the ships, which began in 2020, is almost complete.
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Artist rendering of Pohjanmaa class corvette. (Picture source: Finnish MoD)
In the fall of 2022, the manufacturing design phase began, aiming to start the construction of the vessels. The design phase did not go completely smoothly.
The basic design and equipment procurement were delayed from the target schedule, which is why production did not start at the beginning of 2022. The entire project was rescheduled between the client and the main suppliers.
The last factor affecting the design schedule was the fine-tuning of the ship's dimensions - the hull shape had to be slightly widened and lengthened during the process to ensure the planned payload and the carrying capacity throughout its life cycle before starting production.
The corvette's military payload (weapons, ammunition, crew, fuel) weighs hundreds of tons, and the ship's carrying capacity must be reserved sufficiently for its entire life cycle. The hull shape also affects the vessel's resistance and speed.
The ship's hull shape is estimated to meet its performance requirements even at the end of its life cycle in the 2060s. The result of the basic design can be quite satisfactory.
Towards production
The project now proceeds in the new schedule towards the start of production for the first ship. A tremendous amount of work has been done, as the most complex stages in modern shipbuilding are related to design. The design provides clear and detailed starting points for the actual construction.
When the ship's steel structure, equipment, and systems are in place in the production drawings, the production phase can be carried out efficiently in stages - without forgetting the most complex part of the whole - the integration of the ship's turret and combat system.
Production of the first ship will begin in the fall of 2023, with a target schedule of late October to early November. The construction of the other three ships in the series will begin in the following years, so that the first ship's sea trials will take place in 2026 and the entire fleet will be completed by the end of 2029.
Performance for autumn storms and ice winters
The Pohjanmaa-class performance in the Baltic Sea conditions will be excellent. The ship's maneuverability in an exceptionally demanding environment in terms of weather conditions is unique.
The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes can operate during autumn storms and ice winters. The Baltic Sea calendar year consists of quite harsh and demanding conditions.
The vessel's draft allows for the utilization of the Finnish archipelago and coastline, and the speed allows for rapid transitions throughout the entire operational area. Sufficient tank capacity and storage space provide the ship with a long operating time without the need for replenishments in ports.
The crew has good working and leisure facilities. The ship's turret is precisely what a maritime-dependent country like Finland needs in both normal and crisis situations.
The combat ship's military payload is available year-round where it is needed. The tailored sensor and weapon selection for Finland is highly capable and versatile.
The ship's carrying capacity allows for the transport of significantly larger and more numerous weapons. The corvette's ability to carry military payload compared to a missile boat is tenfold.
