Finnish Defence Forces to procure new tactical radios

Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to start a serial procurement of Finnish tactical radios from Bittium Wireless Ltd. The serial procurement is part of the additional procurement option included in the procurement contract signed in 2018.

“We are very pleased with Bittium’s considerable product development and with the new tactical radios. This procurement will strengthen both the Finnish command and control system expertise and the capabilities of the Finnish Defence Forces,” Minister Häkkänen says.

The additional procurement option allows the Defence Forces to procure tactical radios and related accessories, training and system management for the use of all the Services. The procurement enables expanding the use of the new radios in all Services and in agencies operating under the Defence Command. 

The new, software-defined radios will gradually replace the Defence Forces’ existing stock of tactical radios of an earlier generation. Part of the performance of the software-defined radios is based on the software and waveforms used in the radios, enabling performance enhancement throughout their life cycle. The new handheld and vehicular radios will be adapted with and integrated into the Finnish Army’s M18 C5 system. 

The deliveries of tactical radios will start during 2024. The total value of the purchase, excluding VAT, is about EUR 25.6 million with a domestic employment effect of about 35 person-years.

Inquiries: Riikka Saxlin, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 063, and Colonel Antti Tunkkari, Inspector of Signals, Army Command Finland, tel. +358 299 800 (switchboard).