Defence Forces to procure counter-battery radars to develop capabilities
The Defence Forces’ Logistic Command has received a mandate, on 11.1.2019, from Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö to procure counter-battery radars for the Defence Forces. The radar systems, training for the systems and spare parts will be ordered from the Israeli company ELTA Systems.
The new systems will provide the Army with capabilities to locate the opponent’s firing units and launch counter-battery activities. The new capability will develop the Army fires while counter-battery activities restrict the opponent’s freedom to use fire power.
In addition to target acquisition for counter-battery activities, the modern multi-role radars can be used, at the same time, also for fire observing and air surveillance. The Defence Forces invited international tenders and the selected system was tested in Finland in spring 2018. It excelled in the tendering process and in meeting the requirements.
The radar system deliveries are scheduled for 2021; the contract also includes options for further procurements. Millog Oy and Telva Oy will be in charge of systems maintenance services. Millog Oy is the Defence Forces strategic partner in maintenance and Telva Oy represents ELTA Systems in Finland.
Anfang Dezember hat Finnland einen neuen Gefechtskopf für das GMLRS getestet:
Increasingly effective fires by the heavy rocket launcher’s new ammunition
The Finnish Army has successfully conducted test firing to benchmark the effect and precision accuracy of the area effects capability ammunition of the GMLRS AW (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Alternative Warhead) in long-range fires. The test firing was conducted into the Rovajärvi training exercise area on Saturday 1 December 2018.
The GMLRS ammunition fired by a heavy rocket launcher complement this entity. The area effects capability ammunition of the GMLRS AW blasts fragmentation while exploding above the target. The range of the GPS-guided rockets is approximately 80 kilometres.
– The performance capability of this new ammunition has now become validated. The GMLRS rockets will enhance the Finnish Defence Forces’ readiness for sustained long-range fires. These rockets enable precision fires from increasingly longer distances and thus increase the capability for defending the entire country, Inspector of Artillery, Colonel Pasi Pasivirta explains.
The procurement decision on the GMLRS ammunition of the heavy rocket launcher was made in the year 2016 enabling the Finnish Army’s new long-range area effects capability. This caters for increasingly effective utilisation of the heavy rocket launcher procured in 2006 with access to a more versatile selection of ammunition.
Each GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) rocket is a rocket to be launched by a heavy rocket launcher
The ammunition element is packaged in a rocket pod standardised for utilisation by a heavy rocket launcher
One heavy rocket launcher can be loaded with two pods
A rocket pod carries six rockets
The GMLRS ammunition and heavy rocket launcher system are manufactured by Lockheed Martin, USA
Each Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Alternative Warhead rocket features
Area effects capability
Pre-fragmented AW warhead (wolframite blast fragmentation)
Finland orders ELM-2311 C-MMR radars from IAI Elta Systems
Finland is ordering ELM-2311 Compact Multi-Mission Radars (C-MMRs) from Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI’s) Elta Systems division, Jane’s learned on 21 January.
IAI’s ELTA Systems to Supply Compact Multi-Mission Radars to Finnish Defence Forces
21 January 2018 – ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), was awarded a significant contract to supply Compact Multi-Mission Radars (C-MMR) ELM-2311 to the Finnish Defence Forces. Operationally proven, the radars will provide the Finnish Army with the capability of locating and tracking incoming Rockets, Artillery shells and Mortars (RAM), and shall provide an interface for alerting the Army’s counter weapons systems. Supporting multi-mission capabilities, the radar can simultaneously operate as Artillery Weapon Location and Air Surveillance radar, thereby seriously inhibiting an opponent’s use of aerial threats.
ELTA was selected over several competitors. The proposed solution was found superior in the tendering process. The radar was tested in Finland in spring 2018 to the customer’s full satisfaction. The radar system is scheduled to be delivered in 2021.
Validation of multiple launch rocket system ammunition effects in Rovajärvi (24. November 2020)
The Finnish Defence Forces has increased its readiness for long-range fires. The Army conducted test firing to validate the effectiveness and precision of the multiple launch rocket system ammunition in Rovajärvi on 16-17 November 2020.
The Army successfully conducted the test firing to validate the effectiveness and precision of the multiple launch rocket system GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) Unitary rockets for point effects precision fire, and that of GMLRS AW (Alternative Warhead) rockets for engaging area targets for area effects in long-range fires.
With a range of approximately 80 kilometres, the GLMRS Unitary rocket explodes on target, whereas the GMLRS AW projectile with area effects spreads fragmentation exploding above the target.
Finland – Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System
The Government of Finland has requested to buy twenty-five (25) M30A2 Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems – Alternative Warhead (ER GMLRS-AW) Pods; and ten (10) M31A2 Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems – Unitary (ER GMLRS-U) Pods. Also included is an ER GMLRS Materiel Release Package; Stockpile Reliability Program (SRP) support; Quality Assurance Testing (QAT) services; technical publications; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related element of program and logistics support. The total estimated cost is $91.2 million.
Defence Forces to use option for 155 mm self-propelled howitzers (21. Oktober 2021)
Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen has approved the Defence Forces’ procurement proposal to procure five armoured howitzers in 2021 and has authorised the Defence Forces Logistics Command to procure five additional armoured howitzers in 2022.
The total price of the contract for the additional procurement is EUR 30 million (excluding VAT).
In addition to the armoured howitzers, the contract also includes spare parts and supplies. The procurement will enable the support of operational troops with long-range artillery equipment with good off-road and off-road mobility. The procurement will partly replace the artillery materiel that is becoming obsolete in the 2020s and 2030s and will be decommissioned.