Finland to buy 350 surface-to-air Stinger missile systems from US

Europe, News, US December 13, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Finland plans to purchase 223.6 million euros worth 350 portable short- and long-range missile systems from the United States as part of the 1.2 billion euros weapons package.

According to Finland’s Defense Ministry statement, the Finnish Armed Forces intends to order the SPIKE SR, LR2, and ER2 missile systems. The statement added that the procurement of missile systems was implemented through NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency and the Land Combat Missiles partnership program.

The deal also includes the purchase of munitions, maintenance and training equipment, training of troops for operating systems, as well as documentation and spare parts.

U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement that “The proposed sale [of Stinger missiles] will improve Finland’s defense and deterrence capabilities.” The statement further added that “This critical platform will bolster the land and air defense capabilities in Europe’s northern flank, supporting the U.S. European Command’s top priorities.”

By acquiring the SPIKE SR and LR2 missile systems, Finland seeks to enhance its military’s anti-tank capabilities and the ER2 system would allow the country’s Navy to target vessels, according to the Ministry of Defense press release.

FIM-92K Stinger portable missile systems are manufactured by U.S. defense firm Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The stinger missile system can be rapidly deployed by ground troops. At present, the system is deployed in 19 countries and with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps.

^{Army Spc. Matthew Williams, a cavalry scout assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, fires a Stinger missile using a man-portable air defense system during Artemis Strike, a live-fire exercise at the NATO Missile Firing Installation in Crete, Greece. (Image Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jason Epperson/U.S. Army)}

Last month, the DSCA announced the sale of another weapon deal with Finland valued at around 500 million euros, for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and related equipment.

According to the DSCA, “The Government of Finland has requested to buy one hundred fifty (150) M30A1 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) (Steel Case), or M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) Missile Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS), or a combination of both; and two hundred fifty (250) M31A1 GMLRS Unitary (GMLRS-U) Warhead (Steel Case), or M31A2 GMLRS-U IMPS, or a combination of both.”

Finland is set to become a member of the NATO military alliance. The Nordic nation has paced efforts to acquire defense equipment and enhance its military capabilities, particularly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.