Exail Delivers Navigation Systems For New Finnish Navy Corvettes

Exail has delivered new navigation systems to be fitted to the Finnish Navy’s new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes.

The firm’s Marins M3 inertial navigation systems will afford the new ships precise positioning and orientation in environments where GNSS signals are not available, according to its recent press statement.

It noted: “This delivery marks a significant milestone in modernizing the Finnish Navy’s fleet, enhancing its operational effectiveness in the strategically vital Baltic Sea region.”

The system includes shock-mounted protection, ensuring the equipment works uninterrupted even under demanding sea and potential combat conditions.

Régis Blomme, Sales Director at Exail, commented: “We are proud to have reached this milestone with the successful delivery of our advanced navigation systems to the Finnish Navy.”

He added: “This achievement underscores our commitment to supporting critical defence programs and highlights our ability to meet the stringent demands of modern naval operations. Our systems are engineered to deliver unparalleled accuracy and reliability, allowing the Finnish Navy to operate with confidence in any environment.”

The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are being constructed for the Finnish Navy by Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) under the Squadron 2020 programme.

Alongside four Hamina-class missile boats, the new ships will replace seven older vessels that have been or are due to be decommissioned.

Equipped for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, the four 117-metre new ships will together cost an estimated €1.3 billion; according to the most recent reports, they are expected to be commissioned into service from 2029 onwards.

Although their size — they will each displace 4,300 tonnes — would lead many people to classify the vessels as frigates, the Finnish MoD calls them corvettes as they are chiefly intended to operate in littoral waters rather than as blue-water ships.

Their combat management systems are being supplied by Saab; Kongsberg is supplying the underwater sensor suite. The corvettes will be armed with a naval gun, air and surface missiles, and torpedoes.

The  Pohjanmaa-class corvettes will also feature a helicopter deck and hangar.

• You can read more details about the navigation systems on the Exail website