File photo of Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen. Photo: Lehtikuva
Domestic
Finland will strengthen its ground-based air defence with the purchase of Saab's RBS 70 NG short-range missile system from Sweden under a procurement valued at €108 million, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to acquire the new systems from Saab Bofors Dynamics. The ministry said the purchase will expand the geographical coverage of Finland's ground-based air defence network.
The RBS 70 NG is the latest version of the ITO05M mobile surface-to-air missile system, which has been in service with the Finnish Defence Forces for more than two decades. According to the ministry, the upgraded system will improve Finland's ability to counter both manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
