SAM David's Sling for the Finnish Defense Forces
Launcher SAM David's Sling
Over the past few years, the Finnish Ministry of Defense has been looking for a new anti-aircraft missile system that can complement existing systems and improve the country's air defense. It held a competition and recently announced the results - the winner was the David's Sling air defense system from the Israeli company Rafael. It is curious that this is the first victory of the complex in a foreign tender. Previously, such an air defense system was not supplied abroad.
In search of SAM
In October 2020, the Finnish military department launched a tender for the purchase of a new long-range air defense system designed to complement the existing air defense system. Five foreign companies expressed their desire to participate in the program, incl. two leading Israeli arms manufacturers. So, Rafael offered the David's Sling air defense system, and IAI put up the Barak-MX product for the competition.
The first stage of the competition lasted until November 2021. The Finnish Ministry of Defense considered the proposals received and chose the two most interesting projects. At the same time, the finalists of the program were announced only at the beginning of March 2022. They were the Israeli-designed Barak-MX and David's Sling air defense systems. In the coming months, it was planned to compare products in more detail, choose the winner of the competition and sign the necessary agreements.
To date, all these activities have been completed. On April 5, 2023, it was announced that the winner of the competition was the Rafael company with its David's Sling project. The Minister of Defense of Finland approved this decision. Now the two countries have to resolve the last issues and conclude an intergovernmental agreement on the supply of complexes. It is expected that this will happen in the near future.
Radar complex
It should be noted that the signing of the contract will be an important event not only for Finland, but also for Israel. The fact is that the Finnish army will become the first foreign customer of the David's Sling complex. This air defense system has previously participated in several third-country competitions, but has never been able to win. Now Rafael will be able to point to the success of its development and count on new contracts.
Conditions of a contract
The Ministry of Defense of Finland has revealed some features of the future contract, but some of the information remains unknown. So, it has not yet been reported how many Israeli air defense systems the Finnish army will receive. At the same time, the announced value of the contract indicates the supply of several batteries. The timing of their transfer and putting on combat duty is also not specified. Probably, all this information will be announced later, for example, when contracts are signed.
At the first stage, 316 million euros are allocated for the purchase of imported air defense systems. To optimize financial issues, the order is divided into the main contract and an "immediately exercised" option. They will be paid from different sources, but they will be carried out simultaneously. The main contract has a value of 213 million euros, and the option was valued at 103 million euros.
It also provides for several "deferred" options for the supply of various means and products with a total value of 216 million euros. They will be converted into fixed contracts in the future if appropriate deliveries are needed. In addition, during the operation of the air defense system, it may be necessary to purchase certain products and property. They plan to pay separately, outside the current contracts.
Anti-missile system
The promising David's Sling / "Kela David" / "David's Sling" air defense system was created from the middle of the XNUMXs by order of the Israel Defense Forces. Rafael was the lead contractor. Also, the American company Raytheon and the relevant departments of the Israeli Ministry of Defense were involved in the design.
The development of the complex was completed at the beginning of the next decade, and in 2012 the first test interception of a conditional air target took place. It was assumed that the Sling would be able to enter service in the coming years, but the fine-tuning was delayed. The first battery of such air defense systems took up duty only in the spring of 2017, and a few years later all the required units were deployed. In July 2018, for the first time, the complexes had to work for a real goal.
Since the beginning of the tenth years, "Sling" has repeatedly tried to put up for foreign competitions, but until recently, not a single contract could be obtained. According to some reports, there was tacit opposition from the United States, who did not want their Patriot air defense system to have a competitor with similar characteristics. Finland was the first success of the Israeli air defense system.
Technical features
David's Sling is a medium-range air defense missile defense system. It consists of an IAI Elta EL/M-2084 MMR target search radar, a command post and towed launchers with Stunner/David's Slingshot missiles. SAM can move between positions; after deployment, he is able to conduct long-term duty and protect the entrusted area.
The full-time radar station from the Kela David is equipped with an active phased array and is capable of detecting aerodynamic and ballistic targets at ranges of at least 250-300 km. The command post processes data from the battery radar or from other sources, and also controls the launch and flight of the missile.
The complex is armed with the Stanner missile. This product is of a traditional look and is approx. 4,6 m. To increase the reliability and probability of interception, it is equipped with a combined guidance system. It includes active radar equipment, a two-channel infrared head and a radio command system. With the help of a solid-propellant engine, the rocket develops high supersonic speed. Launch range - 250 km, reach in height - at least 15 km. The missile has no warhead and hits the target with a direct hit. One launcher holds 12 missiles.
Further and higher
At the moment, the Finnish Defense Forces have a few air defense systems with limited characteristics and capabilities. According to reports, there are at least 400 anti-aircraft artillery systems and more than 60 missile systems in the units. At the same time, we are talking only about short-range and medium-range air defense systems, which sharply limits the capabilities of air defense.
The medium-range echelon is represented by 24 NASAMS 2 stationary systems purchased from Norway. With the help of a standard radar, they are able to monitor the air situation within a radius of 100-120 km. Existing missiles with a radar seeker have a launch range of up to 30 km and a strike height of 21 km.
Also in service is approx. 20 French-made Crotale-NG self-propelled air defense systems. Radar and optical means provide surveillance within a radius of 20-30 km. Rockets are used with radio command guidance and a launch range of no more than 16 km at an altitude of up to 9 km.
Rocket moments before impact
The Israeli air defense system "David's Sling" refers to long-range air defense systems. Accordingly, in all the main characteristics, it surpasses all anti-aircraft systems now in service with Finland. It is not at all difficult to imagine how such a complex, having entered service and started combat duty, can affect the general state of Finnish air defense.
Import complexes will have to supplement the existing air defense and create a new echelon in its composition. David's Sling will take over the tasks of constant duty, as well as long-range and high-altitude interception. At the same time, unlike the IDF, the functions of intercepting aerodynamic targets will become the main ones, and anti-missile capabilities will fade into the background.
Mutual benefit
Thus, Finland and Israel have taken the necessary measures and are preparing to sign an intergovernmental agreement on the supply of David's Sling air defense systems. How soon this contract will appear, and when it will be fulfilled, is still unknown. However, it is already clear that it is of great importance for both countries.
So, Israel for the first time managed to get an export order for the Kela David air defense system. Thanks to this, Rafael will make a profit, as well as improve the position of the complex in the market. Perhaps the example of Finland will become an incentive for other countries.
Obvious benefits - for the corresponding price - are received by the Finnish Defense Forces. They will be able to dramatically improve the performance and potential of their air defense. However, given the state of Finnish air defense, it can be argued that the purchase of any other modern foreign air defense system would lead to similar results.
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