Pohjanmaa Ice Strengthened Corvette

Just ran across a short post, “Rauma Shipyard Launches Third Pohjanmaa-Class Corvette for the Finnish Navy.” (Description here)

(Wonder if they are being made by the same yard making the Arctic Security Cutter?)

I found that the yard building these ships is the same yard working with Bollinger to build Arctic Security Cutters.

(We are way behind on building large patrol cutters. Maybe we could do something like the Arctic Security Program, Maybe build two in Finland and the rest in the US.)

The Finns are in the middle of the program now, but they are moving fast. The first contract Was awarded 26 September 2019. First steel was cut 30 Oct 2023. Of the four ships planned, three have already been launched. All are expected to be delivered 2027 to 2029.

(They have a hot production line. Maybe we could take advantage of that.)

The US has no ice strengthened warships even though we are an Arctic Nation. These ships are designed to operate in difficult ice conditions with ice thickness typically greater than 0.5 to 1.0 meter, approximating Ice Class 1A. That is not to say they are icebreakers. They would normally follow an icebreaker.

(This is another example of where we can benefit from the Finns’ experience.)

The US Navy has no minelayers. These ships could also provide that capability. Maybe even the Hammerhead encapsulated torpedo mine.

Of course they should also function as WMECs. They are designed for an MEC size crew (70) but have accommodations for up to 120.

It is a long way from my original Cutter X concept, but the world has become more hostile.