Finland selects FN SCAR-L for its special forces

Finland's special forces have selected the Belgian FN SCAR-L assault rifle. Pictured here is the FN SCAR L 5.56 mm armour rifle with 40 mm EGLM. Credit: FNH USA

From: IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

Finland's special forces have selected the Belgian FN SCAR-L assault rifle as a new standard firearm.

The FN SCAR-L will be the first 5.56x45 mm NATO calibre firearm introduced to the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF). It will supplement the current RK 95 TP assault rifle chambered in the Russian 7.62x39 mm cartridge. Both weapons will be used in parallel by Finnish soldiers.

"We decided that the rifle for the special forces [should be] compatible with other nations for use in crisis management and national defence," said infantry inspector Colonel Jukka Valkeajärvi.

The weapon was approved after field tests. A contract for FN SCAR-L rifles and FN40GL-L under-barrel grenade launchers is to be signed in March.

The special forces units are also seeking a new light machine gun chambered in 5.56x45 mm. The FN Minimi and the H&K MG4 are being tested at the Finnish Army training centre (Utin Jääkärirykmentti).

Finland launched its 'reconnaissance weapon system' for the special forces in March 2014. Under it, the country was looking for 200-300 rifles chambered in 5.56x45 mm and 50-75 grenade launchers chambered in 40x46 mm low velocity ammunition. Rifles are set to be equipped with additional accessories, including the tactical light and laser pointer Insight Model 7500 (AN/PEQ-2A). The contract is estimated to be worth EUR750,000 (USD851,378) with all weapons to be delivered in 2015.

http://www.janes.com/article/49545/finland-selects-fn-scar-l-for-its-special-forces