Equipment of the Finnish Army
Encyclopedia
This is a list of weapons used by the Finnish Army
, for past equipment, see here
.
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anti-aircraft missile systems mounted on Sisu Pasi armoured vehicles, ASRAD-R anti-aircraft missile system mounted on Unimog 5000 trucks and by Swiss Oerlikon 35 mm
twin-barrel AA guns. Helsinki
and other important targets are protected by the late-generation Soviet SAM missile system BUK M1 (SA-11). Close-range anti-aircraft support for troops is provided by 23 mm twin-barrel AA guns (Soviet-made ZU-23-2
), shoulder-fired Igla-M missiles.The SA-18 SAMs are scheduled to be replaced by the early 2010s. Possible candidates for the job are, MBDA Mistral, Saab Bolide, FIM-92 Stinger
, SA-24 Igla-S, PZR GROM (SA-18) and LIG Nex1 Chiron.
Machine guns:
Sniper rifles:
Pistols & submachine guns:
Support weapons:
Bilateral trade
agreements between Finland and the Soviet Union often included weapons. As a curiosity, many Russian weapons were supplied as a "package". For example, tanks came with AK-47 sidearms for the crew. A large amounts of Soviet equipment was also bought from Germany after the German reunification
.
s. The Army also uses Hughes 500 D and E helicopters in reconnaissance and training roles. The Finnish Army has 11 unmanned reconnaissance airplanes (RUAG Ranger
), which are used for reconnaissance and artillery targeting purposes. The Finnish Army is also field testing Patria's
new mini-UAV.
Due to the 3 year delivery delay of the NH90s, the Finnish Army had to refurbish two of its remaining Mil Mi-8s in Saint Petersburg, in order to increase their lifespan by 5 years. Another option, which was evaluated, but not exercised as an intermediate solution was the possible lease, and later purchase, of an unknown number of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the United States
.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| NHI NH90
|| || Transport Helicopter || NH90 TTH || 12 || 20 to be delivered.
|-----
| MD Helicopters MD 500
|| || Utility Helicopter || MD 500D
MD 500E || 2
5 ||
|-----
| RUAG Ranger
|| || Unmanned Reconnaissance || || 11 ||
Finnish Army
The Finnish Army is the land forces branch of the Finnish Defence Forces.Today's Army is divided into six branches: the infantry , field artillery, anti-aircraft artillery, engineers, signals, and materiel troops.-History of the Finnish Army:Between 1809 and 1917 Finland was an autonomous part of...
, for past equipment, see here
Former equipment of the Finnish Army
-Tanks:*PT-76: 12 units**PT-A: some converted to driver training tanks of BTR-50 after PT-76 decommission*T-72: In use between 1984–2006, some ex-East German...
.
Armour
Main Battle Tanks
- Leopard 2A4Leopard 2The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
- 91 to 100 units. (124 were originally purchased, complemented with an additional 15 units bought to be used as spare parts, another 12 were later disassembled into spares, and 12 converted into combat engineering and bridging tanks). - T-55M - 70 units.
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
- CV-9030 FINCombat Vehicle 90The Combat Vehicle 90 or Stridsfordon 90 is a Swedish infantry fighting vehicle designed by Hägglunds where the first generation was fitted with a Bofors turret. It is currently produced by BAE Systems Hägglunds.-Background:...
- 102 units. - BMP-2BMP-2The BMP-2 is a second-generation, amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s in the Soviet Union, following the BMP-1 of the 1960s....
- 110 units.
Armoured personnel carriers (tracked)
- BTR-50PKBTR-50The BTR-50 The BTR-50 The BTR-50 (BTR stands for Bronetransporter (БТР, Бронетранспортер, literally "armored transporter") is a Soviet amphibious armored personnel carrier (APC) based on the PT-76 light tank. The BTR-50 is tracked, unlike most in the BTR series, which are wheeled. The BTR-50...
- 73 units. Will be scrapped. - MT-LBMT-LBThe MT-LB is a Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious auxiliary armoured vehicle which was first introduced in the late 1960s...
- 367 units, plus some 41 "look-a-likes".- MT-LBuMT-LBuThe MT-LBu is a Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious armoured carrier which was developed under the factory index Ob'yekt 10 in the late 1960s, based on the MT-LB...
-P - MT-LBuMT-LBuThe MT-LBu is a Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious armoured carrier which was developed under the factory index Ob'yekt 10 in the late 1960s, based on the MT-LB...
-TP - MT-LBuMT-LBuThe MT-LBu is a Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious armoured carrier which was developed under the factory index Ob'yekt 10 in the late 1960s, based on the MT-LB...
-PS - MT-LBMT-LBThe MT-LB is a Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious auxiliary armoured vehicle which was first introduced in the late 1960s...
V
- MT-LBu
Armored personnel carriers (wheeled)
- Patria AMV - 62 units with Protector M151Protector M151The M151 PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station is a remotely-controlled weapons station that can be mounted to vehicles and stationary platforms...
remote weapon station. - XA-180, XA-185 - originally 485 units, 60 have been sold to Estonia. The remaining vehicles are due to be upgraded.
- XA-203 - 148 units.
- RG32M - 22 units.
Engineer Vehicles
- Leopard 2L AVLB (6 vehicles)
- Leopard 2R CEV (6 vehicles)
- BLG-60M2 AVLB
- T-55M with KMT-5MKMT 5 MThe KMT-5M is a Soviet tank mounted mechanical mine clearing device in the KMT series that is designed to disable anti-tank mines by plowing up or mechanically breaking them from the lines in front of tank tracks. The device can be mounted to T-54/55, T-62 and T-64 tanks...
CEV - Sisu Leguan (9 vehicles)
Support vehicles
- VT-55A ARV
- JVBT-55A HARV
- KAM-1 ARV Experimental 1 unit
- KAM-2 ARV Experimental 1 unit
Air-defence
Anti-aircraft protection of important targets is provided by CrotaleCrotale missile
The Crotale EDIR is an all-weather short-range anti-air missile, which can be used to intercept low-flight anti-ship missiles and aircraft...
anti-aircraft missile systems mounted on Sisu Pasi armoured vehicles, ASRAD-R anti-aircraft missile system mounted on Unimog 5000 trucks and by Swiss Oerlikon 35 mm
Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon
The Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves . The system was originally designated as 2 ZLA/353 ML but this was later changed to GDF-001...
twin-barrel AA guns. Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
and other important targets are protected by the late-generation Soviet SAM missile system BUK M1 (SA-11). Close-range anti-aircraft support for troops is provided by 23 mm twin-barrel AA guns (Soviet-made ZU-23-2
ZU-23-2
The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka - anti-aircraft mount.-Development history:...
), shoulder-fired Igla-M missiles.The SA-18 SAMs are scheduled to be replaced by the early 2010s. Possible candidates for the job are, MBDA Mistral, Saab Bolide, FIM-92 Stinger
FIM-92 Stinger
The FIM-92 Stinger is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile , which can be adapted to fire from ground vehicles and helicopters , developed in the United States and entered into service in 1981. Used by the militaries of the U.S...
, SA-24 Igla-S, PZR GROM (SA-18) and LIG Nex1 Chiron.
Anti-Aircraft Artillery
- 23 ITK 95ZU-23-2The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka - anti-aircraft mount.-Development history:...
- Modernized Soviet 23 mm twin-barreled ZU-23-2 AA gun. 45 units. - 35 ITK 88 - Swiss Oerlikon 35 mm twin-barreled AA gun. 16 units.
- 23 ITK 61ZU-23-2The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka - anti-aircraft mount.-Development history:...
- Soviet 23 mm twin-barreled ZU-23-2 AA gun. Originally 1,100 units, some have been scrapped. Most will likely be scrapped soon. - ITPSV 90 MarksmanMarksman anti-aircraft systemMarksman is a British anti-aircraft weapon system, consisting of a turret, a Marconi Series 400 radar and two Swiss 35 mm Oerlikon autocannons...
- 35 mm self-propelled, twin-barreled AA gun, mounted on a T-55 chassis. 7 units. Will be taken out of service.
Surface-to-Air Missiles
- ITO 2005ASRAD-RASRAD-R is a German designed vehicle-mounted short-range surface-to-air missile system, utilizing the Swedish BOLIDE laser-guided SAM missile, and the Ericsson Microwave System HARD 3D radar....
and ITO 2005 MASRAD-RASRAD-R is a German designed vehicle-mounted short-range surface-to-air missile system, utilizing the Swedish BOLIDE laser-guided SAM missile, and the Ericsson Microwave System HARD 3D radar....
(MANPADS) - ASRAD-R SAM system. 16 units (12 mounted on MB Unimog 5000 and 4 on Sisu NasuSisu NasuThe Nasu is a tracked articulated, all-terrain transport vehicle developed by Sisu Auto for the Finnish Army. It consists of two units, with all four tracks powered. It can carry up to 17 people, although the trailer unit can be adapted for different applications...
) Will replace ITO 86 and ITO 86 M. Each battery has also four MANPADS systems. - ITO 96 - Soviet BUK-M1 SAM system. 9(+9) units (3 batteries). Including 9A39M1, 9A310M1, 9S18M1, and 9S470M1 vehicles. The system will be replaced ahead of schedule due to the system's vulnerability to electronic warfare, such as scrambling. It will be replaced by the 4 batteries of Norwegian NASAMS II missile system sometime after 2015 (24 launch units). The deal is valued at over 500 million euros (of which 176 millions are costs for a new radar surveillance system).
- ITO 90Crotale missileThe Crotale EDIR is an all-weather short-range anti-air missile, which can be used to intercept low-flight anti-ship missiles and aircraft...
- Crotale NG SAM system, mounted on a Sisu XA-181 chassis. 10 units.
Forward Observer
- BMP-1TJ - unarmed artillery forward observer vehicle in BMP-1 chassis.
- BMP-1TJJ - armed artillery forward observer vehicle in BMP-1 chassis.
MLRS
- 298 RsRakH 06M270 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemThe M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher; a type of rocket artillery.Since the first M270s were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1983, the MLRS has been adopted by several NATO countries. Some 1,300 M270 systems have been manufactured in the...
- 227 mm self-propelled rocket launcher (M270 MLRS). 22 units. - 122 RAKH 89RM-70The RM-70 multiple rocket launcher is a Czechoslovak army version and the heavier variant of the BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, providing enhanced performance over its parent artillery system that was introduced in 1971 .- Overview :RM-70 was developed in Czechoslovakia as a successor for...
- Czech 122 mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. 36 units.
Self Propelled
- 152 TELAK 91 - Soviet 152 mm self-propelled gun (2S5 Giatsint-S). 18 units. Will be soon taken out of service.
- 122 PSH 742S1The 2S1 Gvozdika, ; is a Soviet 122-mm self-propelled howitzer that resembles the PT-76 but is essentially a version of the MT-LB APC, mounting the 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its GRAU designation. An alternative Russian designation is SAU-122 but in the Russian Army it is commonly known as Gvozdika...
- Soviet 122 mm self-propelled howitzer (2S1 Gvodzika). 72 units. Will be soon taken out of service.
Field Howitzers
- 122 H 63A - Soviet 122 mm towed D-30 howitzer. Three different versions. 486 units.
Field Guns
- 155 K 98 - 155 mm field gun with an auxiliary power unit to move the gun. 36 units.
- 130 K 90-60130 K 90-60The 130 K 90-60 is a Finnish towed 130 mm coastal artillery piece, manufactured in the 1980s by Vammas.-History:The development process for the 130 K 90-60 began in 1960 when the Finnish company Tampella presented their concept of a new 122 mm gun for the Finnish Army. This gun was called 122 K 60....
- 130 mm towed field gun, used by the coastal artillery. 15 units. - 152 K 89 - 152 mm towed field gun. 24 units.
- 155 K 83155 K 83The Tampella 155 K 83 is a Finnish towed 155 mm field gun, manufactured in the 1980s by Tampella.-History:The development process for the 155 K 83 began in 1960 when Tampella presented their concept of a new 122 mm gun for the Finnish Army. It was a sound concept, but quite a heavy gun. It was only...
- 155 mm towed field gun. 108 units.
Self Propelled Mortars
- XA 361 - 120 mm twin-barrel AMOSAMOSAMOS or Advanced Mortar System is a 120 mm automatic twin barrelled, breech loaded mortar turret. AMOS has been fitted to a wide range of armoured vehicles such as the Sisu Pasi, Patria AMV, Combat Vehicle 90 or Combat Boat 90....
mortar on a Patria AMV platform. 18 units. - Krh-TeKa - 120 mm mortar on a SISU NA-140 BT platform. Designated Krh-TeKa (Kranaatinheitintelakuorma-auto). 27 units.
Towed heavy mortars (total: ca. 900)
- 120 KRH 92120 KRH 92The 120 KRH 92 is a 120 mm mortar manufactured in Finland.Due to the high trajectory, high rate of fire, and their light weight, mortars are especially suited to terrain with natural cover, in built-up areas and in circumstances with great altitude differences.Due to the major-general Vilho...
- 120 mm mortar. - 120 KRH 92-76 - 120 mm mortar.
- 120 KRH 85-92 - 120 mm mortar.
- 120 KRH 38-77 - 120 mm mortar.
- 120 KRH 3842-77 - 120 mm mortar.
Light mortars (total: ca. 1,400)
- 81 KRH 71-96 Y - 81 mm mortar.
- 81 KRH 71 Y81 KRH 71 Y81 Kranaatinheitin 71 Y is the light mortar used by the Finnish Army. It is usually used to support the infantry by indirect fire, but it can also be used for direct fire. Each infantry company has a platoon of 81 mm mortars. The mortar platoon consists of three 7-man mortar squads, each squad...
- 81 mm mortar. - 81 KRH 38 Y - 81 mm mortar.
- 82 KRH 36 RT - 82 mm mortar.
Guided
- PSTOHJ 2000 - Euro-Spike anti-tank missiles. 100 launchers for MR version.
- RO 2006 - Euro-Spike anti-tank missiles. 18 launchers for ER version.
- PSTOHJ 83 MABGM-71 TOWThe BGM-71 TOW is an anti-tank missile. "BGM" is a weapon classification that stands for "Multiple Environment , Surface-Attack , Missile ". "TOW" is an acronym that stands for "Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command data link, guided missile"...
- BGM-71E, TOW 2A, tandem warhead version - PSTOHJ 83 MBBGM-71 TOWThe BGM-71 TOW is an anti-tank missile. "BGM" is a weapon classification that stands for "Multiple Environment , Surface-Attack , Missile ". "TOW" is an acronym that stands for "Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command data link, guided missile"...
- BMG-71F, TOW 2B, top-down attack version
Unguided
- 102 RSLPSTOHJ NLAW - Swedish-made NLAW anti-tank missiles, also called MBT LAW
- 112 RSKES APILASAPILASAPILAS is a portable one-shot 112 mm recoilless anti-tank weapon, designed in France by GIAT Industries...
- French Apilas disposable recoilless anti-tank weapon - 66 KES 88M72 LAWThe M72 LAW is a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon, designed in the United States by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, and Frank A. Spinale et al...
- M72A5 LAW, 70,000 pcs. - 66 KES 75M72 LAWThe M72 LAW is a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon, designed in the United States by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, and Frank A. Spinale et al...
- M72A2 LAW - 95 S 58-6195 S 58-61The 95 S 58-61 is a heavy recoilless anti-tank weapon used by the Finnish Army. It is also referred to as raskas sinko , or colloquially as Musti . The weapon was developed in 1958 and it was given a new wheel-equipped carriage in 1961...
- 95 mm recoilless rifle, about 1,000 units.
Infantry weapons
Assault rifles:- 7.62 RK 95 TP, modernized version of the standard assault rifle, manufactured by SAKOSAKOSAKO, Limited is a Finnish firearm manufacturer located in Riihimäki....
. - 7.62 RK 76, modernized version of the standard assault rifle. This version is also in most widespread use, but usually identified as Rk 62Rk 62The Rk 62 is an assault rifle manufactured by Valmet and Sako. It is the standard issue infantry weapon of the Finnish Defence Forces....
. - 7.62 RK 72 TPAK-47The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
, East German-made AKMS-47 (MPi-KMS-72), purchased in large numbers for reserve troops. Folding stock version is used by various tank, APC and IFV crewmen. - 7.62 RK 62Rk 62The Rk 62 is an assault rifle manufactured by Valmet and Sako. It is the standard issue infantry weapon of the Finnish Defence Forces....
, original version of the standard assault rifle, manufactured by ValmetValmet' was a Finnish state-owned conglomerate. Valmet was formed in 1951, when the state of Finland decided to group their various factories working on war reparations to the Soviet Union under one company...
. - 7.62 RK 56 and 7.62 RK 56 TP, Chinese-made copies of the AK-47, purchased in large numbers for reserve troops, but not commonly used.
- FDF used to have also original Russian-made AK-47AK-47The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
(7.62 RK 54) and AKS-47 (7.62 RK 54 TP), but no longer in use.
- FDF used to have also original Russian-made AK-47
- Heckler & Koch G36Heckler & Koch G36The Heckler & Koch G36 is a 5.56×45mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1990s by Heckler & Koch in Germany as a replacement for the 7.62mm G3 battle rifle. It was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997, replacing the G3...
, operated by the border guards rapid response unit.
Machine guns:
- 7.62 KK 62, Finnish-made machine gun, manufactured by ValmetValmet' was a Finnish state-owned conglomerate. Valmet was formed in 1951, when the state of Finland decided to group their various factories working on war reparations to the Soviet Union under one company...
. - 7.62 KK PKMPK machine gunThe PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
, Russian-made PKM machine gun, current standard machine gun in the Finnish army. - 7.62 KK PKTPK machine gunThe PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
, Russian-made PKT machine gun, current standard machine gun in most tanks and IFV's in the Finnish army. - 7.62 KK MG 3Rheinmetall MG3The MG3 is a German general-purpose machine gun chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. The weapon's design is derived from the World War II era MG 42 universal machine gun that fired the 7.92x57mm Mauser round....
, German-made MG 3Rheinmetall MG3The MG3 is a German general-purpose machine gun chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. The weapon's design is derived from the World War II era MG 42 universal machine gun that fired the 7.92x57mm Mauser round....
, light armament on Leopard 2Leopard 2The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
tanks and NH90NHI NH90The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
helicopters. - 12.7 RSKK M2, American-made M2 Browning machine gun, found on the Patria AMV's KongsbergKongsberg Defence & AerospaceKongsberg Defence & Aerospace , one of two operating companies of Kongsberg Gruppen of Norway, is a supplier of defence and space related systems and products, mainly anti-ship missiles, military communications, and command and weapons control systems for naval vessels and air-defence applications...
weapon turretsProtector M151The M151 PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station is a remotely-controlled weapons station that can be mounted to vehicles and stationary platforms...
. - 12.7 ITKK NSV, Russian-made NSV machine gun, current standard heavy machine gun of the Finnish Army.
Sniper rifles:
- 7.62 TKIV 85, sniper rifle made by ValmetValmet' was a Finnish state-owned conglomerate. Valmet was formed in 1951, when the state of Finland decided to group their various factories working on war reparations to the Soviet Union under one company...
, based on the Mosin-NagantMosin-NagantThe Mosin–Nagant is a bolt-action, internal magazine-fed, military rifle invented under the government commission by Russian and Belgian inventors, and used by the armed forces of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and various other nations....
rifle. - 7.62 TKIV Dragunov, Russian-made Dragunov sniper rifle.
- 8.6 TKIV 2000, sniper rifle manufactured by SakoSAKOSAKO, Limited is a Finnish firearm manufacturer located in Riihimäki....
. - 12.7 TKIV 2000 US-made .50 calibre Barrett M82 sniper rifle.
Pistols & submachine guns:
- 9.00 PIST 2008, Glock 17 with specially made RTF2 checkering texture around the grip, 20 N (4.5 lbf) trigger pull, self illuminating tritium sights and a 17+2 round magazine.
- 9.00 PIST 2003Walther P99The Walther P99 is a semi-automatic pistol developed by the German company Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen of Ulm for law enforcement, security forces and the civilian shooting market as a replacement for the Walther P5 and the P88...
, Walther P99, used by special forces and military police. - 9.00 KP 2000Heckler & Koch MP5The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
, Heckler & Koch MP5, used by special forces. - 9.00 PIST 80, Belgian-made FN HP-DA pistol.
- 9.00 PIST 80-91, factory-refurbished PIST 80's.
- 9.00 PIST SIG-Sauer, peace-keepers and military marching bands.
- 12 pumppuhaulikko Remington Police, standard shotgunShotgunA shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug...
.
Support weapons:
- 40 KRKK 2005, grenade machine gun, manufactured by Heckler & Koch.
- 40 KRPIST 2002Heckler & Koch HK69A1The HK69A1 is a 40 mm grenade launcher developed and produced by the German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch . The weapon was designed to engage enemy troops and strongpoints out to a distance of 350 m; it can also be used to deploy smoke grenades and illumination flares.-Development:The launcher’s...
, grenade launcher, manufactured by Heckler & Koch.
Bilateral trade
Bilateral trade
Bilateral trade or clearing trade is trade exclusively between two states, particularly, barter trade based on bilateral deals between governments, and without using hard currency for payment...
agreements between Finland and the Soviet Union often included weapons. As a curiosity, many Russian weapons were supplied as a "package". For example, tanks came with AK-47 sidearms for the crew. A large amounts of Soviet equipment was also bought from Germany after the German reunification
German reunification
German reunification was the process in 1990 in which the German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany , and when Berlin reunited into a single city, as provided by its then Grundgesetz constitution Article 23. The start of this process is commonly referred by Germans as die...
.
Army Aviation
The NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopters) is the main type of transport helicopters used, having replaced Soviet Mi-8Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
s. The Army also uses Hughes 500 D and E helicopters in reconnaissance and training roles. The Finnish Army has 11 unmanned reconnaissance airplanes (RUAG Ranger
RUAG Ranger
RANGER is a tactical UAV system by Swiss aerospace enterprise RUAG Aerospace. Its design and some of its technology is based on the Scout UAV system by Israel Aerospace Industries....
), which are used for reconnaissance and artillery targeting purposes. The Finnish Army is also field testing Patria's
Patria (company)
Patria is a Finnish company which produces a wide range of defence, aviation and aerospace technology. It carries on the firearms tradition of Valtion Kivääritehdas and the aerospace tradition of Valtion lentokonetehdas.-Patria Aviation:* NH90* Mini-UAVs...
new mini-UAV.
Due to the 3 year delivery delay of the NH90s, the Finnish Army had to refurbish two of its remaining Mil Mi-8s in Saint Petersburg, in order to increase their lifespan by 5 years. Another option, which was evaluated, but not exercised as an intermediate solution was the possible lease, and later purchase, of an unknown number of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| NHI NH90
NHI NH90
The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
|| || Transport Helicopter || NH90 TTH || 12 || 20 to be delivered.
|-----
| MD Helicopters MD 500
MD Helicopters MD 500
The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is an American family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 was developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach...
|| || Utility Helicopter || MD 500D
MD 500E || 2
5 ||
|-----
| RUAG Ranger
RUAG Ranger
RANGER is a tactical UAV system by Swiss aerospace enterprise RUAG Aerospace. Its design and some of its technology is based on the Scout UAV system by Israel Aerospace Industries....
|| || Unmanned Reconnaissance || || 11 ||