Finland, a new member of NATO, has received the green light from the United States State Department to sign a contract – under the Foreign Military Sales programme – for the modernization M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems to the M270A2 standard.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale of the upgrade to Finland on August 1. According to DSCA, the future contract could be valued at USD 395 million. The scope of the upgrade package requested by Finland includes “intercom systems; radio communication mounts; machine gun mounts; battle management system vehicle integration kit; publications for MLRS; spares; services; support equipment; and other related elements of program and logistics support.”
“The proposed sale will improve Finland’s capability to meet current and future threats, and will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and other allied forces. Finland will have no difficulty absorbing this upgrade into its armed forces,” DSCA said in a statement.
The Finnish Defence Forces currently operate 22 M270A1 launchers armed with ammunition with a range of 80km (GMLRS) and 150km (ER GMLRS). The upgraded version of this weapon system, the M270A2, is capable of using the newest generation of rocket ammunition/missiles with extended range.
