Finnish Navy’s next-gen corvettes to get MAN engines

Germany-based engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions will provide MAN 175D four-stroke engines for four corvettes under construction for the Finnish Navy.

As informed, each of the four ships will be equipped with four MAN 12V175D-MEL GenSets with a total output of 7,700 kW.

Under the navy’s Squadron 2020 project, four Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are to be built at Finnish Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) shipyard. They are designed for Finland’s conditions and will replace the Rauma-class fast-attack missile boats and Hämeenmaa-class minelayers that will reach the end of their life-cycle by the mid-2020s.

“Due to COVID-19, the negotiations were challenging and required additional effort and patience from both parties. RMC has good experience in working with MAN and looks forward to continuing the cooperation for the Squadron 2020 project from Augsburg,” Jyrki Heinimaa, CEO of Rauma Marine Constructions, said, commenting on the latest order.

The MAN 175D GenSets bound for Finland have a number of technical features such as double-elastic seating, noise enclosures for silent operation. What is more, MAN 175D is said to be the only high-speed navy GenSet able to reach that power level with 12 cylinders.

In addition, the engines will be suitable for Arctic operations and capable of functioning in extremely low-air-intake temperatures.

According to MAN, 175D is also an eco-friendly engine, being designed from the outset with compliance to the latest, as well as future, exhaust-gas-emission requirements and utilises a compact and flexible SCR system, which enables vessel designers to optimise space on board to the maximum.

Squadron 2020 is a Finnish naval project that aims to replace seven older vessels. The four new corvettes will then form the backbone of the navy into the 2050s.

The overall length of the Pohjanmaa-class corvettes is 114 metres, with a beam of 16 metres and maximum draught of 5 metres – corresponding to a displacement of some 3,900 tonnes.

During normal patrol operations, each ship’s twin, ice-strengthened, controllable-pitch propellers will be driven by electric propulsion motors with a number of the four MAN 175D diesel generators installed on double-resilient mounting for mission purposes.

The first test-runs at sea are already scheduled for 2024 with all vessels projected for completion by 2028.