Rauma Marine Constructions celebrated on 26 August 2025 an important milestone with the start of the production of the third multi-purpose corvette of Pohjanmaa class built for the Finnish Defence Forces, newbuild 6007. This article is based on the speech given by Project Director Timo Ståhlhammar in this event.
The production of the first corvette started in October 2023. The vessel was successfully launched in May with the outfitting of the vessel currently underway at the shipyard’s outfitting pier. The production of the second corvette was commenced in October of last year. The assembly of the vessel’s hull has already progressed with nine blocks, giving her the first impression of a ship’s outline.
The simultaneous production of the three corvettes is a significant accomplishment and highlights both the tightness of the schedule and the shipyard’s strengthened competence.
Knowledge on military shipbuilding restored in Finland
The project is exceptionally difficult as it has been almost 20 years since battleships were last built in Finland. The competence needed to design and build military vessels has had to be rebuilt almost from nothing. It has been necessary to recruit the best experts in the field and proven work management staff – and this has been done with success.
At the same time, RMC has made significant investments in the shipyard’s infrastructure and production facilities. The new multi-activity hall, the heavy haul ramp, and the most recent addition, the Harry barge, are concrete examples of the development work. These investments do not only benefit the Pohjanmaa project but strengthen the ability of Finland to build and maintain military vessels also in the future. They also support our national security of supply.
Efficiency enhanced through new operating model
RMC’s strength is its industrial operating model with the whole chain, from steel production to the sea-ready vessel, in the company’s own hands. In this project, RMC is in charge of the whole production up to the work management level. The new operating model has enhanced efficiency and improved the systematic nature of work. The first vessel has served as a pilot and the experience and lessons learned are now directly adopted to series production. This is already clearly evidenced by the positive progress made with the production of the second vessel.
Sights set also on international market
The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are becoming a product that can be presented and marketed also internationally. With the current tensions in security politics, the need for vessels of this size class and suited for challenging conditions has been recognised particularly in Northern Europe. The need is an immediate one – and RMC has the capability to respond.
Thanks for cooperation
The success of the project is based on close cooperation. The work carried out by the Defence Forces, the contract partners and the cooperation companies has been resolute and far-reaching. A special thanks must also go to the employees of the shipyard, the designers and experts whose professional competence and dedication is demonstrated by every hull and system.
The building of these vessels is more than an industrial project – it is an investment in national security and security of supply, and in the future of Finland.
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