New weapons for Swedish soldiers

New weapons for Swedish soldiers

Published: Less than 20 min ago

full screen The defense’s new automatic carbine from the Finnish manufacturer Sako. Press photo. Photo: Sako Ltd

Sweden is to buy new firearms. The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed a framework agreement with the Finnish arms manufacturer Sako regarding, among other things, new automatic carbines, FMV writes in a press release.

The agreement was signed jointly with Finland.

“The fact that Sweden and Finland sign an agreement with the same supplier for the same weapon system increases the possibilities for cooperation regarding use, training, development and ammunition procurement,” says Jonas Lotsne, head of army materiel at FMV, in the press release.

The framework agreement runs over ten years and the value of the first order is SEK 875 million.

The agreement applies to automatic carbines in caliber 5.56×45, automatic carbines in caliber 7.62×51, sniper rifles in caliber 7.62×51 and sniper rifles in caliber 8.6 Lapua Magnum.

The new weapons will replace the automatic carbine 4, automatic carbine 5 and sniper rifle 90.

“Today’s agreement largely affects all personnel in the Armed Forces and the Home Guard, who will eventually receive more modern weapons,” says Jonas Lotsne.

The armed forces will start introducing the sniper system next year and the introduction of the automatic carbine in caliber 5.56 will begin in 2025.

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