Finland & Sweden Select Sako Rifles
The Finnish and Swedish Defense Forces will purchase a range of various rifles from Sako Ltd. TFB first reported about this almost two years ago, but it’s now official what the framework and the firearms will look like.
The new Sako 5.56x45mm carbine appears to have a monolithic upper receiver and an MLOK forend. It also appears to be select-fire. Both the carbine and 7.62x51mm rifle appear to be fitted with Ase Utra BoreLock Bird cage flash hiders which will allow the use of suppressors using the BoreLock fast-attach mounting system. It’s unknown what suppressors will be issued with the rifles.
The framework agreement will run for 10 years, with three seven-year option periods until 2053. Finland will acquire assault rifles and personal protective weapons for field tests, for a modest €0.7 million. On the other hand, Sweden’s contribution is considerable, with SEK 875 million ($82 million) worth of assault rifles and personal protective weapons. It’s a well-known fact that the Ak5 (Automatkarbin 5 / FN FNC) has reached its end of road, and while modernized recently the Ak4 (H&K G3) has been in service since the 1960s.
Below: The new Sako M23 7.62x51mm rifle, which also looks to have a monolithic upper and an MLOK forend. The Sako M23 has already been selected by the Finnish armed forces, with a contract agreed in October 2022. Similarly, earlier this year, in February the Finnish armed forces also selected the Sako TRG M10.
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration’s procurement covers 5.56×45 and 7.62×51 calibre rifles (DMRs), 7.62×51 calibre sniper rifles and the .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6mm). Deployment of the new firearms systems will start in 2024 and 2025. Details on exactly what variants of the weapons the Finnish military will be procuring for further testing have not been released.
The Sako TRG M10 Sniper Rifle in 7.62×51 and .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6mm), which is the sniper rifle TFB predicted would win in 2019. The Cerakote looks familiar to the one TFB reported about in the same article: New Multi-Caliber Sniper Weapon System for Swedish Armed Forces – The main colour should be equivalent to RAL7013 or Pantone 19-0822 TCX. That is a Brown Grey color, sometimes known as “Snigelgrå” or “Snigel Design Grey“. This rifle will replace the current PSG90 sniper rifle (AI AW).
According to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, the FMV, the selection of the Sako rifles is the first of a raft of selection. The FMV note that while the weapons have been selected they will continue evaluations, “starting in 2023, extensive tests of each weapon type will be carried out, where quality as well as handling and ergonomics will be tested under varying conditions and in several rounds.” 2023 will see the procurement phase start and testing and verification carried out. In 2024 the Swedish military will receive the first ‘PSG 8.6’ (the .338LM bolt action rifles) and the first ‘new AG90′ 12.7x99mm (.50 BMG) rifles will be introduced. The AK 5.56’ will be introduced in 2025 and the ‘AK 7.62’ will be introduced in 2026.
The FMV also note that the agreement with Sako also covers Sweden’s Police, Customs, SÄPO (Swedish Security Service) and the Coast Guard with different variants and accessories able to be selected under the agreement.
How the weapons will be issued to the various arms of the Swedish military is not yet clear but the flexibility of the contract and varied systems selected suggest Sweden (and Finland) have looked to cover all bases. The Finnish Logistics Department of the Defense Forces also stated that they will use the agreement’s framework to equip their own “Border Guard, Customs, the Office of Criminal Sanctions and police authorities” as needed.
The Finnish Logistics Department’s press release also noted that the two countries will “place independent orders directly from SAKO Oy based on the framework agreement,” and that “each country manages its own orders. The countries try to time their purchases at the same time in order to achieve a volume advantage.”
Adapted from an article from our sister site TFB. Written by Eric B, with additional reporting from Matthew Moss.