In the post-war period until the beginning of the 60s, 88-mm German Flak 37 anti-aircraft guns were the main firepower of the Finnish air defense facility. 40-mm Swedish Bofors L 60 and assorted 20-mm machine guns were intended to protect army units from air attacks. After the restrictions on the acquisition and use of missile weapons were lifted from Finland, the Finnish leadership took care of the purchase of anti-aircraft missile systems abroad. Initially, the British medium-range air defense system Thunderbird was considered as the main contender. The complex entered service in 1958 had good data: an aimed launch range of 40 km and an altitude reach of 20 km. The main advantage of the British anti-aircraft missile with semi-active radar guidance was the use of solid fuel, which made the operation process easier and cheaper. It is worth recalling that the first American and Soviet medium and long-range anti-aircraft missiles had liquid jet engines fueled by toxic fuel and an aggressive oxidizer.
In 1968, the British supplied a set of equipment for the preparation of calculations, including training anti-aircraft missiles of the Thunderbird Mk I modification, without fuel and warheads. By that time, production of the improved Thunderbird Mk II had begun, and the British company English Electric was seriously counting on a large contract.
But the matter did not advance beyond the acquisition of several launchers and training anti-aircraft missiles. Why the Finns abandoned the planned deal is not clear. Perhaps it was the lack of financial resources in Finland. Also, the decision of the Finnish side could be influenced by the decommissioning of the Thunderbird air defense system in the UK in the mid-70s. Currently, elements of the Thunderbird air defense system are on display at the Finnish Air Defense Museum in Tuusula.
The first air defense missile system adopted in Finland was the Soviet S-125M "Pechora". This very successful complex with solid-propellant 5V27 missiles had a range of 2, 5-22 km in range, and 0, 02-14 km in height. The contract for the supply of equipment for three anti-aircraft battalions and 140 missiles was signed in early 1979. An anti-aircraft regiment was put on alert in the Helsinki area in 1980. In 1984, with Soviet technical support, the Finnish S-125M underwent modernization. In Finland, the S-125M air defense system, designated Ito 79, served until 2000.
At about the same time, the Strela-2M MANPADS were supplied to Finland, which made it possible to transfer for storage most of the obsolete 20-mm anti-aircraft guns. Since 1986, the Finns have received Igla-1 MANPADS, used under the designation Ito 86. The intention to abandon Soviet-made MANPADS was announced about 10 years ago, when the Finnish army began to switch to NATO standards.
In the late 80s, the Finnish military began looking for a replacement for the Soviet 57-mm ZSU-57-2. In addition to installing towers with 35-mm assault rifles on the chassis of T-55 tanks of the Polish production, it was decided to purchase the French mobile short-range air defense systems Crotale NG.
In 1992, the Finns purchased 21 sets of air defense systems with a total value of more than $ 170 million, placing them on the chassis of the Sisu XA-181 armored personnel carrier. Finnish cars are known under the designation Ito 90M. The missile with radio command guidance has a launch range of 11,000 meters and an altitude reach of 6,000 meters. Detection tools include a Thomson-CSF TRS 2630 surveillance radar with a detection range of 30 km, a J-band tracking radar with a range of 20 km, and an optoelectronic station with a wide field of view. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Finnish Ito 90M underwent modernization and refurbishment. According to a number of sources, the new generation VT1 missiles with a range of 15 km have been introduced into the ammunition load of the Finnish Krotal.
After the collapse of the USSR, military-technical cooperation between the countries continued for some time. In 1997, three batteries of the Buk-M1 air defense missile system were delivered to Finland to repay the USSR national debt (18 SDU and PZU, 288 SAM 9M38). The complex could hit targets at ranges up to 35 km and an altitude of 22 km.
The Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile regiment was permanently stationed in the northern suburb of Helsinki. Mobile complexes, unlike the S-125M air defense systems, did not carry constant combat duty, but at least one battery was in readiness in order to take up combat positions.
However, the service of the Buk-M1 air defense system in the Finnish armed forces was short-lived. Already in 2008, the Finnish military decided to abandon the Russian complexes. This was motivated by the fact that the air defense systems supplied by Russia, which had served only 10 years, no longer meet modern requirements, and are too vulnerable to Russian electronic warfare. And the control systems of the complexes can be easily taken under control from the outside.
It is difficult to say how well-founded the Finns' fears were, but it can be recalled that in the same 2008, the same type of Soviet-made complexes supplied from Ukraine, were quite successfully used against Russian combat aircraft during the conflict with Georgia. Most likely, the main reason for Finland's abandonment of the Buk-M1 was not low efficiency and susceptibility to electronic suppression, but the desire to switch to weapons systems that meet NATO standards.
In 2009, the execution of a $ 458 million contract for the supply of the US-Norwegian NASAMS II medium-range air defense system began. The complex, which received the designation Ito 12 in Finland, was developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Gruppen in conjunction with the American Raytheon. SAM NASAMS II is able to effectively deal with maneuvering aerodynamic targets at a distance of 2.5-40 km, and an altitude of 0.03-16 km. Specially modified air combat missiles AIM-120 AMRAAM are used as a means of destruction.
Detection of air targets and fire control of the anti-aircraft battery is carried out by compact 3-axis AN / MPQ-64 F2 X-band radar, with a detection range of 75 km.
Compared to the version originally adopted in Norway, extended-complement complexes with increased fire performance and a large number of target designation and detection equipment were supplied to Finland. As part of the NASAMS II battery of the Finnish armed forces, there are: 6 AN / TPQ-64 radars instead of three and 12 launchers instead of 9, an MSP500 optoelectronic reconnaissance station on an all-terrain vehicle chassis and a battery control center. The MSP500 station equipment includes: high-resolution TV cameras, a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder, which makes it possible to use anti-aircraft missiles without turning on the radar. Each launcher has 6 TPK with missiles, thus, the battery contains 72 ready-to-use anti-aircraft missiles. According to the information of Military Balance 2017, the Finnish army has 3 batteries of NASAMS II air defense systems.
The Swedish-German ASRAD-R short-range air defense systems, the contract for the supply of which was signed in 2005, are intended to protect headquarters, communication centers and airfields. This complex was created by Saab Bofors and Rheinmetall on the basis of the "portable" RBS-70 MANPADS with laser guidance. Thanks to the modular design, the ASRAD-R with advanced Bolide missiles can be installed on almost any wheeled or tracked conveyor of suitable carrying capacity. In Finland, the complex received the designation Ito 05 and is mounted on the Sisu Nasus chassis (four units) and the Mercedes-Benz Unimog 5000 (twelve units). In total, the anti-aircraft battery has 4 combat vehicles.
Each vehicle is an independent combat unit and is capable of fighting an air enemy at a distance of up to 8000 meters and an altitude of 5000 meters. To detect air targets, the PS-91 radar is used, which controls the airspace within a radius of 20 km. SAM Bolide, guided by a laser channel, in addition to air, can be used for firing at ground and surface targets. The missile uses a cumulative fragmentation warhead with armor penetration up to 200 mm. If the aerial target avoids a direct hit, it is struck by ready-made lethal elements - tungsten balls.
To provide air defense for tank and motorized infantry battalions, 86 RBS-70 (Ito 05M) launchers with Bolide missiles were purchased. Although the Swedish RBS-70 complex is formally considered portable, it cannot be used from the shoulder and carried in the field alone. The tripod, guidance unit, power supply and state recognition equipment together weigh about 120 kg. Therefore, RBS-70 complexes are moved mainly on light off-road vehicles.
Several years ago, information appeared that the American FIM-92F Stinger MANPADS began to enter the Finnish armed forces. In a report shown on a Finnish TV channel, it was said that the portable systems were put into service under the designation Ito 15.
A total of 200 units were transferred as military aid from Denmark. Also, the Finnish military announced their intention to purchase another 600 Stingers in the United States.
In the first half of the 50s, it became clear that the Finnish air defense units needed re-equipment. Before the lifting of restrictions on anti-aircraft missiles, attempts were made to modernize anti-aircraft artillery. In particular, some of the existing 40-mm anti-aircraft guns in 1959 were equipped with hydraulic drives connected with cables with centralized guidance equipment. For autonomous power supply, each anti-aircraft machine gun received a benzo-electric unit. After modernization, the Finnish Bofors received the designation 40 Itk 36/59 B. To generate data on air targets, the UK purchased 6 Thomson-Houston Mark VII fire control radars and Command 43 / 50R gun guidance stations. Anti-aircraft batteries with the upgraded Bofors L60 were in service until the end of the 90s.
Within the framework of military-technical cooperation with the USSR, various equipment and weapons were supplied to Finland, intended for air defense units, including anti-aircraft artillery. In 1961, the Finnish army received 12 ZSU-57-2, which were used under the designation ItPsv SU-57 SU-57 until the early 90s, until they were replaced by the Crotale NG air defense system.
The comparative efficiency of the ZSU-57-2 anti-aircraft fire was lower than that of the 57-mm S-60 anti-aircraft guns, since the anti-aircraft battery included gun guidance stations. At the same time, the twin self-propelled anti-aircraft guns were more ready to open fire and had armor protection for the crew.
In 1975, Finland purchased twelve 57-mm S-60 anti-aircraft guns and 3 RPK-1 Vaza radar and instrument complexes on the Ural-375 chassis. The RPK-1 equipment provided auto-tracking of the target in angular coordinates and range and could conduct an independent manual circular or sector search for a target at a distance of up to 50 km. The radar was mated with a television-optical sighting device, which made it possible to quickly capture fast-moving air targets for tracking. 57-mm anti-aircraft guns had an effective firing range of up to 6,000 meters and a rate of fire of 100-120 rds / min. The guns were equipped with a set of tracking drives ESP-57 for guidance in azimuth and elevation according to RPK-1 data.
Three four-gun S-60 batteries replaced 88-mm anti-aircraft guns in the troops. An anti-aircraft battalion stationed in Turku in the south-west of the country was armed with Soviet 57-mm machine guns. The operation of the C-60 anti-aircraft guns continued until the 2000 year.
In the 70s, Finland acquired 400 ZU-23 twin pairs. 23 mm anti-aircraft guns designated as 23 Itk 61 were popular among the troops and quickly replaced the old 20 mm machine guns. Installation weighing 950 kg has a rate of fire of 2000 rds / min. Practical rate of fire - 400 rds / min. The firing range at air targets is up to 2500 meters. As in other countries where the ZU-23 was in service, in Finland they were very often installed on trucks.
In the 90s, 45 23 ItK 61 were upgraded to 23 ItK 95. The upgraded installations received a ballistic processor, thermal sensors and a laser rangefinder. According to the Finnish military, this has more than doubled the efficiency.
In 1958, sixteen 35-mm twin anti-aircraft guns GDF-001 and Superfledermaus fire control radar were purchased from Switzerland. The units, which received the local designation 35 ItK 58, were regularly repaired and modernized. This weapon is now known in the Finnish army as the 35 ItK 88.
To date, all the innovations offered by Oerlikon Contraves (renamed Rheinmetall Air Defense AG after the merger with the German Rheinmetall) have been introduced in the Finnish 35-mm anti-aircraft guns. The fire control of the anti-aircraft battery occurs remotely according to the Skyguard radar data. In this case, the presence of calculations at the firing position is not necessary. Until now, the 35 ItK 88 is considered a very effective and modern weapon. 35-mm projectile weighing 535-750 grams. leaves the barrel with an initial speed of 1050-1175 m / s, which makes it possible to fire at targets flying at an altitude of 4000 meters. The installation has a very good rate of fire for this caliber - 550 rds / min. The mass of the gun in the firing position is quite large - 6700 kg, which requires an all-wheel drive three-axle tractor with a carrying capacity of at least 5 tons for towing. However, the significant weight of the anti-aircraft gun is associated with its high degree of automation, and is explained by the presence of numerous hydraulic and electrical drives and actuators operating on commands from the central control panel without the participation of calculations. The anti-aircraft battery of 35-mm guns of the GDF-005 modification has an autonomous optoelectronic sighting system with a laser rangefinder, the spare boxes are reloaded and the projectile is sent into the barrel automatically. Upgraded to the GDF-007, the model uses state-of-the-art high-performance processors to dramatically reduce system response times. Early models had 112 rounds ready for use. On later modifications, thanks to the use of an automatic reloading system, it was possible to bring it up to 280 shells.
The same 35 mm anti-aircraft guns were used as part of the ItPsv 90 ZSU (Ilmatorjuntapanssarivaunu 90 - Anti-aircraft tank of the 1990 model). In this anti-aircraft self-propelled gun, a very advanced OMS was used, consisting of a combined Marconi 400 target detection and tracking radar, a pair of gyro-stabilized electro-optical sights with a Sagem VS 580-VISAA laser rangefinder. The equipment also included the SIFM inertial navigation system. The combined X and J-band radar is capable of detecting low-altitude air targets at a distance of 12 km, and taking them under escort from 10 km.
The turret autonomous anti-aircraft module was developed by the British company Marconi Radar and Control Systems in conjunction with Oerlikon Contraves. A feature of the anti-aircraft module is the ability to install it on the chassis of any tank suitable for carrying capacity. The ammunition load is 460 fragmentation and 40 armor-piercing shells. Two 35mm assault rifles fire 18 rounds per second.
Finland from 1988 to 1991 received 10 anti-aircraft towers and placed them on the chassis of Polish-made T-55AM tanks. The ItPsv 90 ZSU troops replaced the outdated ItPsv SU-57 with 57mm guns. In 2010, the possibility of modernizing the ItPsv 90 fire control system was considered, but for financial reasons this was abandoned, after which all ZSUs were transferred to storage.
In the first issue of the Finnish military magazine Panssari for 2015, a photograph of a modernized version of the ItPsv 90 (Marksman) SPAAG was published on the chassis of the Leopard 2A4 tank. Serial modernization of all 10 ZSU ItPsv 90 began in 2016. Apparently, the electronic systems of the ZSU will also be updated, but there are no details regarding this yet.
In the mid-50s, the Finnish air monitoring system did not meet modern requirements. The German radars received together with the 88-mm Flak 37 anti-aircraft guns became obsolete morally and physically, and it became impossible to maintain them in working order due to the lack of vacuum tubes. For airspace control and air traffic control in the UK, several American AN / TPS-1E surveillance radars were purchased.
The first version of this mobile radar went into mass production in 1945, and was subsequently built in large series. The modernized AN / TPS-1E radar with a pulse power of 500 kW, operating in the frequency range of 1220 - 1350 MHz, could steadily track air targets at a distance of 200 km. The AN / TPS-1E radars, which received the name Tepsu in Finland, despite their advanced age, served until the second half of the 80s.
In the 70s, the need to detect low-altitude air targets acquired particular relevance. Simultaneously with the S-125M air defense system, the P-15NM and P-18 mobile radars were delivered to Finland. The hardware-antenna complex of the P-15 radar is located on the ZIL-157 cargo base. A decimeter range radar with a pulse power of 270 kW was able to monitor the air situation within a radius of 180 km. Experimental calculations ensured the deployment of the station in 10 minutes.
The P-18 meter range radar was a further development of the widespread P-12 station, and was distinguished by a new element base, increased characteristics and more comfortable working conditions for operators. The P-18 radar provides more accurate target designation to ground-based means of destruction of air targets, as well as the guidance of fighter aircraft to enemy aircraft. In addition, this station has better noise immunity compared to the P-12. The P-18 equipment is located on the basis of two Ural-375 vehicles, one containing the radio-electronic equipment with operator's workstations, the second - the antenna-mast device.
In Finland, the P-18 radar was used as standby stations. The detection range strongly depended on the flight altitude of the air target. So at an altitude of 20 km, a fighter-type target, in the absence of organized interference, could be detected at a distance of 260 km. And at an altitude of 0.5 km - 60 km.
The operation of the Soviet radars P-15 and P-18 continued until the end of the 90s, after which they were replaced by the GIRAFFE Mk IV radars supplied by Sweden. These three-coordinate stations operating in the 2-4 GHz frequency range are capable of detecting large high-altitude targets at a distance of up to 400 km.
On January 15, 2015, the ceremony of handing over the first mobile radar Ground Master 403 supplied by ThalesRaytheonSystems to the Finnish Air Force took place. The contract for the supply of 12 stations, worth € 200 million, was signed in May 2009. All GM 403 radars were to be transferred to the Finnish side by the end of 2015.
Three-axis mobile radars GM 403 are created on the basis of the most modern element base and have high reliability, the ability to quickly upgrade and update software. Particular attention is paid to the characteristics of detecting low-altitude targets in conditions of electronic countermeasures. All radar equipment is housed in a container-type module and can be transported by C-130 aircraft. The detection range of large high-altitude targets reaches 450 km.
Currently, the Ministry of Defense of Finland is considering the possibility of acquiring a SAMP-T long-range air defense system with an Aster-30 missile defense system. According to the Finnish military, they urgently need to be armed with several anti-aircraft missile batteries with a range of up to 100 km. That will allow, together with F-18C / D fighters, to cover the territory of the country from the actions of enemy aircraft. Who is considered in this case as an adversary is absolutely clear. Although Finland declares its neutrality, foreign policy and military development are steadily drifting towards rapprochement with the United States and NATO. This is confirmed by the measures taken during the renewal of the military command and control system and the notification of the air situation. Since 2006, the Finnish air defense system has been integrated within the Link-16 information exchange system and is exchanging data with NATO air defense command posts.
