Finland to procure munition from US
Finnish Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö has given his approval to procure munitions for a heavy rocket launcher system from the US, it was announced on 8 February. The proposal was supported by Finland’s Cabinet Finance Committee.
The $78 million procurement will consist of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary munitions for precision fire and the GMLRS Alternative Warhead to engage area targets. Both the munitions will have a range of about 70km.
The munition will be manufactured by Lockheed Martin in the US and delivered in 2016-2018. The procurement will be as Foreign Military Sales from the US government. With the help of the new munitions, the Finnish defence forces will aim to improve the use of the GMLRS and achieve new long-range capabilities the statement said.
Lockheed Martin’s MLRS family of munitions includes three rockets and four missiles with an additional six variants in development. The GMLRS system incorporates a GPS-aided intertial guidance package integrated on a rocket body. Small canards on the rocket nose provide basic manoeuvrability. GMLRS has a modular design that enables future growth.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Front-line support: how UK industry is helping tackle Ukraine’s landmine challenges]()
Front-line support: how UK industry is helping tackle Ukraine’s landmine challenges
Pearson Engineering has provided equipment and engineering expertise to the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The British company is now working to deepen engagement with the Ukrainian defence industry, expanding its support for the country’s population and laying the foundations for future technological innovation.
-
![AUSA 2026: industry looks to make commercial platforms a military reality]()
AUSA 2026: industry looks to make commercial platforms a military reality
With a production rate of more than 10 million vehicles annually, the US commercial car and vehicle manufacturing base is second only to China. Defence companies are looking at how the vehicles, technology and manufacturing capability can support programmes.
-
![With changing patterns in Middle Eastern procurement, is Europe missing out?]()
With changing patterns in Middle Eastern procurement, is Europe missing out?
Traditional suppliers are struggling to meet the Middle East’s armoured vehicle modernisation needs, creating opportunities for South Korean manufacturers and regional defence industries.
-
![AUSA 2026: CUAS market expands as suppliers target new threats and operational requirements]()
AUSA 2026: CUAS market expands as suppliers target new threats and operational requirements
New developments from MARSS, MyDefence, Mountain Horse Solutions and Rafael suggest that future counter-drone protection will increasingly depend on combining advanced detection, rapid interception and integrated defensive networks.
