Finland is equipping its future Pohjanmaa-class corvettes with advanced composite armor systems developed by Integris.
According to a report by Defence Blog, the solution will be installed on all four vessels currently under construction at the Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) shipyard as part of the naval modernization program Squadron 2020.
Unlike projects in which protection is added later, the armor was incorporated from the earliest stages of the vessels’ development. According to those involved, this approach improves ship survivability without compromising speed, range, or payload capacity.
At 117 meters in length, the Pohjanmaa-class corvettes will become the primary surface combatants of the Finnish Navy. The vessels feature reinforced hulls designed for year-round operations in the harsh conditions of the Baltic Sea, including periods of heavy winter ice.
The new armor uses advanced composite materials, including ceramic combinations and other elements engineered to provide ballistic protection while keeping weight to a minimum. The goal is to increase resistance against projectiles, shrapnel, and nearby explosions without the performance penalties associated with traditional steel armor.
“We have worked closely with Integris and our design team to fully integrate protection into the ship design in a way that meets our survivability requirements without compromising speed, range, or payload,” said Jari Nieminen, Program Director at Rauma Marine Constructions.
The Squadron 2020 program is considered one of Finland’s largest military investments in recent decades. The four ships are currently at different stages of construction, with the first two units already launched for system integration and testing ahead of entering service.
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Photo: Rauma Marine Constructions. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
