Finnish army to purchase U.S. GMLRS M31A1 and GMLRS M30A1 missiles and rocket pods 11011155

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Defence & Security News - Finland
 
Finnish army to purchase U.S. GMLRS M31A1 and GMLRS M30A1 missiles and rocket pods.
The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Finland for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) M31A1 Unitary and GMLRS M30A1 Alternative Warhead Rockets in Pods and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $150 million.
     
The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Finland for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) M31A1 Unitary and GMLRS M30A1 Alternative Warhead Rockets in Pods and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $150 million. M270 MLRS (registry Ps 529-3) on display during Finnish Defence Forces 2013 Flag day in Ekenäs harbour.
     
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 9, 2015.

The Government of Finland has requested a possible sale of forty (40) Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Pods: Fifteen Pods of M31A1 Unitary Missiles (6 missiles per pod for a total of 90 missiles) and 25 Pods of M30A1Alternative Warhead Missiles (6 missiles per pod for a total of 150 missiles). Also included are publications, personnel training and training equipment, software development, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost is $150 million.
 

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. The proposed sale of the GMLRS M31A1 Unitary and M30A1 GMLRS Alternative Warhead Rockets will improve Finland's capability to meet current and future threats.

Finland will use this enhanced capability to strengthen and secure its national borders. Finland will have no difficulty absorbing these rocket pods into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

GMLRS-Unitary is launched from the M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

In May 2011, the Finnish Army placed a $45.3m order to upgrade its 22 M270 MLRS launchers. The upgrade enables the launchers to fire precision GPS-guided munitions.