Notable is that the Finnish field artillery these days operate 18-gun battalions in line with many NATO-countries, although there are indications that the self-propelled units use a 24-gun battalions, with both of these structures fitting within the framework of the tender. The document does note that the eventual number of guns acquired is “depending on the funding provided”.
Finland has earlier used a combination of fixed and towed guns in the coastal artillery role, although in the last few decades the Navy has not been training any mobile coastal artillery unit. The fixed guns originally included old tank turrets, since retired, as well as the purpose-built 130 TK. The latter is a fully Finnish-developed and built system. It uses the same ammunition as the Soviet 130 mm field gun M-46, as well as a unique anti-ship round developed by Nammo Raufoss in the late 90’s. The ability to employ this round as a base bleed shell significantly increased range, and has allowed the systems to stay relevant despite its age – the first batteries celebrate 40 years in service in 2024. Still, it has been clear for some time that a replacement is needed, and already back in 2017 the Navy confirmed they were looking at all available options to cover the retirement, including both gun and missile solutions.
The specifications at this time are vague. Besides the need to fire NATO 155 mm rounds and the number of systems to be acquired, the request notes that the purpose is for a mobile coastal artillery capability to be created, both for targeting vessels in the littorals as well as being able to target ground forces. “The system shall have a high degree of mobility enabling deployment in the operational environment”, and which is specified as the Finnish coastal area. With the Finnish coastal area being relatively well-served by a road network able to handle trucks, it is safe to assume the reference to “high degree of mobility” means the eventual system chosen will be a truck-mounted gun.
While there is no shortage of options, it is notable that Finnish defence company Patria released a statement earlier this year stating that while the last newbuilt Patria gun was the 155 K 98 towed artillery of which deliveries ended in 2005, the company still has the ability to both design and produce new artillery pieces, including barrels. This is largely thanks to the maintenance work done on delivered guns. They also confirmed they are working on a concept “to increase mobility” which will be tested next winter, and stated that this solution would be advantageous both to the ground forces as well as in a coastal defence role.
