Pohjanmaa-class
Summary
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Mine |
| Subtype | Ocean capable minelayer and training ship |
| Manufacturer | Rauma Marine Constructions |
| Year commissioned | 2028 |
| Approx. unit cost | $1.4 billion |
| Units | Finnish Navy |
| Current operators | 🇫🇮 Finland |
Description
The Pohjanmaa class consists of a new series of multi-role corvettes being constructed for the Finnish Navy under the Squadron 2020 project. These four vessels will significantly contribute to the Finnish Navy from the mid-2020s by replacing older decommissioned ships including the minelayer Pohjanmaa, Hämeenmaa-class minelayers, and Rauma-class missile boats. Consequently, they will ensure the Finnish Navy maintains a robust operational capability alongside the existing Hamina-class missile boats.
Designed for year-round operation in the Baltic Sea, with provisions for ice-strengthened hulls and independent operation in iced conditions, the Pohjanmaa-class corvettes will be equipped with a combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) propulsion system. For regular patrol duties, the ships will use electric motors. However, for higher speed requirements, a gas turbine will propel the ship beyond 26 knots. Two bow thrusters will enhance low-speed maneuvering adeptness.
The combat management system (CMS) and communication of this class will be provided by Saab including the 9LV CMS, Sea Giraffe radars, CEROS 200 fire control directors, TactiCall communication systems, and a laser warning system. The corvettes will also have sophisticated sonar systems supplied by Kongsberg and Patria for undersea detection and warfare.
Armament-wise, the Pohjanmaa-class will possess a Bofors 57 mm Mk3 gun, surface-to-surface Gabriel 5 missiles, the RIM-162 Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 for aerial threats, Saab Torped 47 anti-submarine torpedoes, naval mines, close-in weapons systems, and a decoy system.
The development of these surface combatants began in 2008, with the Squadron 2020 project formal launch in 2015. The Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions secured the €647.6 million shipbuilding contract in September 2019. Construction delays were announced in November 2021, indicating a delay of 14 to 18 months as of mid-2022, with the first ship's trials expected to commence in 2026 and full completion targeted for 2029.
The class continues the Finnish Navy's tradition of naming major combat ships after regions of Finland, with "Pohjanmaa" itself meaning Ostrobothnia, a legacy name carrying historic significance.
There has been some criticism regarding the classification and size of these ships, which have been earmarked as corvettes by the Navy and Ministry of Defence, although their displacement aligns with that of frigates, a matter which brought some debate within the Finnish Parliament. Critics argue the ships are overly large for the shallow Finnish territorial waters and present valuable targets for enemy anti-ship missiles. However, the Finnish Navy posits that the vessels' size was dictated by the multi-faceted mission profile, including mine-laying capabilities, which require a larger hull.
Technical specifications
| Pohjanmaa | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1450 tons |
| Range | 6000 km |
| Endurance | 14 days |
| Crew | 73 members |
| Width | 16.0 m (52.5 ft) |
| Length | 117.0 m (383.9 ft) |
| Air Park | AV-8B Harrier II; F-35B Lightning II; MV-22B Osprey; CH-53E Super Stallion; UH-1Y Venom; AH-1Z Viper; MH-60S Seahawk |
| Propulsion | Combined diesel-electric and gas |
| Armament | 1 57 mm gun; 1 40 mm gun; 2 23 mm doublebarrel guns; 2 12.7 mm machineguns; 2 depth charge rails; 150 mines |
| Maximum speed | 26 knots |