RMC signs Finnish corvette design contract

The Finnish Defence Forces have signed a contract worth €7.5 million with Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) to design four multirole corvettes for the Finnish Navy.

The contract follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the defence forces and RMC in September 2016.

The contract will see RMC further define the vessel concept and create the basic design required for vessel manufacturing. The contract to construct the vessels is expected to be signed in 2018.

The vessels, which are being built under Finland's Squadron 2020 project, will be capable of surface warfare operations, naval mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and will have command and control capabilities and the ability to remain at sea for extended periods in all weather and ice conditions.

The Squadron 2020 project will replace four Rauma class fast attack missile craft, minelayer FNS Pohjanmaa (already decommissioned), and two minelayers of the Hämeenmaa class.

The total cost of the project has been estimated at €1.2 billion. According to plan the first vessels will be commissioned in 2021.