Finland has awarded a $16.2 million contract to Swedish defense firm Saab to supply combat training simulators and necessary upgrades.
According to the company, the simulators will supplement the live training solutions already installed and in use in the Northern European nation.
The technology would also reportedly secure Finland’s training capability over the next decade, allowing the country’s military to train with the “highest degree of realism.”
In addition to training simulators, the contract requires Saab to upgrade the Finnish military training facility in Pori brigade and modernize its equipment.
The deal also includes upgrading other individual simulators within eight separate troop units.
“This contract provides the Finnish Defence Forces with a further enhanced live training capability, which will enable us to improve the capabilities of the Defence Forces, both within the national border as well as in multinational collaborations with partners,” Finnish Assistant Chief of Staff Kari Pietiläinen said in a press release.
Once complete, the upgrade will enable Finland’s armed forces to use the training simulators until 2032.
Increased Military Spending
The acquisition of new, state-of-the-art equipment is part of Finland’s initiative to modernize its military amid evolving threats.
The country announced on Tuesday that it plans to increase its defense spending by more than two billion euros ($2.2 billion) in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The war in Europe has fundamentally changed our security environment,” Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen said. “For this reason, we have decided to allocate a significant budgetary increase to the defense forces.”
Last month, Finland’s defense ministry said that the nation intends to procure air defense systems from Israel Aerospace Industries or Rafael Advanced Systems.
Kaikkonen has also approved a 70 million euro ($79.2 million) proposal to buy Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System ammunition from the US.