Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnews!military From: r31510k@kaira.hut.fi Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Finnish arms Message-ID: <15575@cbnews.ATT.COM> Date: 14 Apr 90 04:11:07 GMT References: <15491@cbnews.ATT.COM> Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM Organization: Helsinki University of Technology, Finland Lines: 50 Approved: military@att.att.com From: r31510k@kaira.hut.fi () In article <15491@cbnews.ATT.COM> SHUEE%IUCF.BITNET@UICVM.uic.edu writes: >From: > Could our friends in Finnland please tell us about the reliablity and over- >all impresions of the Soviet made weapons they use? >SHUEE@IUCF Generally: Soviet weapons are simple and reliable. My knowledge covers only infantry weapons, so I try to describe some of them. ANTI-TANK MISSILES We use both Soviet AT-4 Spigot (Finnish PST-ohjus 82) and US ITOW (PST-ohj 83). AT-4 is older model than ITOW. First time I saw AT-4 I thought it was of western manufacture. I understand it is a good weapon. RADIOS We use US PRC-25 and Soviet radio we call LV-301. My own impression are in favour of LV-301, many people would disagree with this. If PRC-25 ceases to function correctly, no repairs can be done in field. LV-301 however can be tuned and adjusted. We have also had difficulties with hand-pieces of PRC-25 in winter conditions. TANKS We use T-55 (modified) and T-72 tanks. I have understood that these function very well. TRUCKS AND ARMOURED PERSONNEL VEHICLES Russian trucks and armoured vehicles consume _very_ much of gasoline and technically leave a lot to hope for. PERSONAL AND OTHER WEAPONS Our VALMET M62 assault rifle is based on Kalasnikov AK-47 and is functionally equal with it. It is a very good, simple and reliable weapon even compared with AR 15 A2, HK G3, SIG 550. We manufacture our own light machine gun- 7.62 KK(=MG) 62. Somebody mentioned that we use Soviet Anti-tank rocket launcher. This is not true. Weapon that we use is very similar looking, but is of Finnish manufacture and technically a recoil-less rifle (All propellant burns in weapon). It is called "Sinko 55 S 55". First 55 for caliber 55 mm, second for vintage. Yours, Reima Raty r31510k@kaira.hut.fi "Qualitas potentia nostra "