Photos Finnish Defence Forces
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That's an East-German ak. I didnt find a list with exact models and their differences. But 'MPi-KMS-72' seems to bring up this kind of rifle.
https://www.deviantart.com/firearmsanddevices/art/MPi-KMS-72-1-55167195 vs this article:
Vaunumiehistön erikoiset aseet - Ruotuväki
They came with the vehicles.
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Just LOVE things that go "Bang"
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Yes, indeed it's MPi-KMS-72, or RK 72 TP as it's called in FDF.That's an East-German ak. I didnt find a list with exact models and their differences. But 'MPi-KMS-72' seems to bring up this kind of rifle.
https://www.deviantart.com/firearmsanddevices/art/MPi-KMS-72-1-55167195 vs this article:
Vaunumiehistön erikoiset aseet - Ruotuväki
ruotuvaki.fi
They came with the vehicles.
The East German 7.62 AK types are
- MPi-K (AK-47; AFAIK Soviet manufacture)
- MPi-KmS (AKS-47; may be GDR manufacture) - these are called RK 54 TP (as are the original 1960's purchased Soviet AKS-47)
- MPi-KM (GDR AKM varint, with GDR-specific Bakelite furniture) - these are called RK 72
- MPi-KMS-72 (GDR folding stock AKM variant, with GDR developed right side folding stock) - these are called RK 72 TP.
The GDR rifles came to Finland in the 1990's, when FDF went on a shopping spree on the GDR surplus wares, which Germany wanted to get rid of. 100 000 GDR-made assault rifles were bought to supplement the Finnish (and Soviet) assault rifles. These included at least MPi-KmS, MPi-KM and MPi-KMS-72, mostly the two latter.
The MPi-KMS-72 has since then became the standard assault rifle for tracked vehicle crews. It's lightweight as it's stamped, it includes a somewhat ergonomic stock (right side folders are more comfortable to carry as a right handed shooter) and it doesn't take much room. FDF has had its Leopard 2 tanks retrofitted for MPi-KMS-72 racks, replacing the West German racks for Uzi.
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Thank you @J0h1F for excellent overview.
You might be surprised to know that there are also Chinese Type 56 rifles in the warehouses and also soviet AK-47's. From the days when the field army was sized at 500k troops. Before purchasing those in the 90's, large chunks of the army would've been equipped with mosins, so it was a huge improvement.
At one point these were listed on the FDF's website, but it seems they are ashamed of them now, or something.
(Or did they end up in smelters, I don't quite remember)
You might be surprised to know that there are also Chinese Type 56 rifles in the warehouses and also soviet AK-47's. From the days when the field army was sized at 500k troops. Before purchasing those in the 90's, large chunks of the army would've been equipped with mosins, so it was a huge improvement.
At one point these were listed on the FDF's website, but it seems they are ashamed of them now, or something.
(Or did they end up in smelters, I don't quite remember)
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From Wednesday the 27th through December 4th, Finnish defense forces will be mounting resistance to an imaginary attack from the north along an equally imaginary border running across the country at about 62° north.
That was all some 12,000 personnel preparing to meet the hypothetical threat knew on Wednesday morning.
"The rest is only known to the planners and exercise controllers. So, for example, to conscripts the situation looks like the real thing," explains Lt. Colonel Tomi Pekurinen of Finland's Army Academy.
The exercise, dubbed "Kaakko 19", is aimed at testing the Defense Force's readiness to react to a fluid, swiftly changing situation. Taking part are 6,200 conscripts, 3,200 reservists, and 2,600 regular army and Border Guards.
"It has happened all over the world that situations have escalated quickly and led to the use of military force. Previously, it was assumed that we'd have weeks or months to prepare our own response," says Pekurinen.
yle.fi
That was all some 12,000 personnel preparing to meet the hypothetical threat knew on Wednesday morning.
"The rest is only known to the planners and exercise controllers. So, for example, to conscripts the situation looks like the real thing," explains Lt. Colonel Tomi Pekurinen of Finland's Army Academy.
The exercise, dubbed "Kaakko 19", is aimed at testing the Defense Force's readiness to react to a fluid, swiftly changing situation. Taking part are 6,200 conscripts, 3,200 reservists, and 2,600 regular army and Border Guards.
"It has happened all over the world that situations have escalated quickly and led to the use of military force. Previously, it was assumed that we'd have weeks or months to prepare our own response," says Pekurinen.
12,000 Finnish soldiers start war games
Major war games take place at two year intervals, this time focusing on the defense of Finland's south-eastern region.
yle.fi
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Finnish Defense Forces wrote:
"Lot has changed in 80 years, but not the skill and willingess do defend homeland. The ability to defend
whole Finland is still based on skill of troops trained through general conscription. "
Because:
On Saturday, Finns commemorated the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Winter War against the Soviet Union.
President Sauli Niinistö said that the importance of the war experience for Finland will not fade even though "we will soon enter a new era in which those who experienced the Winter War first hand will only live in our memories. But it does not mean that the significance of those experiences would be diminished," he said in a statement.
"Commemorating a war does not equal its idealisation. The Winter War was brutal and cruel. Many sacrificed life and limb to allow Finland to live," the president added.
yle.fi
yle.fi
"Lot has changed in 80 years, but not the skill and willingess do defend homeland. The ability to defend
whole Finland is still based on skill of troops trained through general conscription. "
Because:
On Saturday, Finns commemorated the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Winter War against the Soviet Union.
President Sauli Niinistö said that the importance of the war experience for Finland will not fade even though "we will soon enter a new era in which those who experienced the Winter War first hand will only live in our memories. But it does not mean that the significance of those experiences would be diminished," he said in a statement.
"Commemorating a war does not equal its idealisation. The Winter War was brutal and cruel. Many sacrificed life and limb to allow Finland to live," the president added.
Finns commemorate outbreak of Winter War
Ceremonies in Lappeenranta and Helsinki honoured those who took part in the war, including foreign volunteers.
yle.fi
80 years ago: First day of the Winter War
Early on November 30, 1939, the USSR launched a massive attack against Finland, the start of the 105-day Winter War.
yle.fi
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m-72 had picatinny rail for?
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From West Palm Beach to Tikkakoski: Dual Finnish nationals explore roots through military service
Every year, dozens of dual Finnish nationals living abroad complete military service in Finland.
Nineteen year-old Finnish-American Iida Hakkarainen, whose family relocated to Florida when she was a baby, is now completing a nine-month stint at the Air Force Unit in Tikkakoski, north of Jyväskylä.
Hakkarainen, who is about halfway through her service, is in military police training.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study after finishing high school. My older brother had completed his Finnish military service and recommended I do it too,” Hakkarainen said.
yle.fi
30 000 people gathered in Tampere to watch the independence day parade (link to the parade):
areena.yle.fi
24:20 : motorized
Every year, dozens of dual Finnish nationals living abroad complete military service in Finland.
Nineteen year-old Finnish-American Iida Hakkarainen, whose family relocated to Florida when she was a baby, is now completing a nine-month stint at the Air Force Unit in Tikkakoski, north of Jyväskylä.
Hakkarainen, who is about halfway through her service, is in military police training.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study after finishing high school. My older brother had completed his Finnish military service and recommended I do it too,” Hakkarainen said.
From West Palm Beach to Tikkakoski: Dual Finnish nationals explore roots through military service
Every year, dozens of dual Finnish nationals living abroad complete military service in Finland.
yle.fi
30 000 people gathered in Tampere to watch the independence day parade (link to the parade):
Itsenäisyyspäivän paraatin ohimarssi 2019 | Itsenäisyyspäivän paraati
Itsenäisyyspäivän valtakunnallisen paraatin ohimarssi Tampereella. Selostaja Ahti Kaario.
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