Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen: The Finnish Defence Forces will procure thermal clip-on optics

Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Defence Forces to order thermal clip-on optics and related equipment and spare parts through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).

Thermal clip-on optics are thermal imaging sights mounted in front of a weapon’s primary day optic.

“This procurement will ensure that new sniper and designated marksman rifles will have the thermal imaging capability that meets the Finnish Defence Forces’ requirements,” Minister of Defence Häkkänen said.

The TigIR-M20 thermal sights will be supplied by the German company Andres Industries AG, selected through a competitive tendering organised by the NSPA. The overall value of the procurement, without value added tax, is more than EUR 24 million. The procurement is part of the development of night combat and sniper capabilities within the Dismounted Soldier System Programme.

Inquiries: Jussi Ristimäki, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 072; Colonel Ari Mure, Inspector of Infantry, Army Command Finland, tel. +358 299 800 (Finnish Defence Forces’ switchboard).