A unique milestone in the Squadron 2020 project has been reached as all four multipurpose corvettes are now in production. The steel-cutting ceremony for the fourth corvette took place in Rauma on 14 January 2026.
The year 2026 is expected to be particularly interesting and significant for the Rauma shipyard. Today, a unique landmark was achieved with a steel cutting ceremony that launched the production of the fourth multi-purpose corvette for the Finnish Navy. The event coincided with the keel-laying of the third corvette whose production started last August. The second multi-purpose corvette under construction is nearing the completion of hull works, while the first corvette, which was launched in May 2025, has reached the outfitting stage.
“ We are very pleased to now have all the multi-purpose corvettes of Pohjanmaa class under construction at the Rauma Shipyard. We have industrialised our procedures and construction processes to meet the requirements of our clients’ demanding projects. This is reflected in the progress we have made in the basic shipbuilding activities, in other words,” hull construction, says Mika Nieminen who is the CEO and President of RMC.
The direct employment impact of the Squadron 2020 project is about 3,600 person-years in Finland. RMC is building a total of four multi-purpose corvettes of the Pohjanmaa class to the Finnish Navy. The Pohjanmaa class is one the most capable vessel types in the Baltic region. The vessels are designed for year-round operation in all conditions encountered in the Baltic Sea.
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Squadron 2020 is a strategic project for Finland.
“ The start of steel-cutting for the fourth vessel and the keel-laying of the third vessel are, once again, clear indications of the progress of the project and the capability of our marine industry, further strengthened also by the icebreaker projects that are about to start,” says Brigadier General Engineering Juha-Matti Ylitalo, the Deputy Chief of Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command.
The icebreaker contract awarded to RMC by the U. S. Coast Guard at the end of 2025 is proceeding towards produc-
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