Sako M23

In May 2020, the Finnish Defence Forces announced that they had signed a letter of intent with Sako for the development of a new rifle system in two configurations, one for infantry designated marksmen and one as a sniper rifle. At the time, the rifle system was known as the K22 (from {{Lang|fi|kokeilu}}, 'experiment'; literally 'E22').{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000008329477.html|title=Suomi ja Ruotsi suunnittelevat asekauppaa: Tarkoitus on hankkia yhdessä suuri määrä uusia tarkkuuskivääreitä|language=finnish|trans-title=Finland and Sweden plan an arms deal: The intent is to purchase a large number of new sniper rifles|first=Jukka|last=Harju|date=18 October 2021|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|publisher=Sanoma Media Finland|access-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018090653/https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000008329477.html|archive-date=18 October 2021|url-status=live}} The new rifle system was planned as a complete replacement for the existing Dragunov sniper rifle and as a partial replacement for the TKIV 85 sniper rifle. The Inspector of the Infantry, Colonel {{Langr|fi|Rainer Peltoniemi}} specified that the rifle system should be deliverable in 2022, be chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO and be more ergonomic than the previous systems. He noted, that at the time the K22 program did not have other participating nations, but other nations could join should they have similar needs for a rifle and a similar schedule.

In April 2021, the Finnish Defence Forces announced that they had signed an information exchange agreement with the Swedish Armed Forces concerning small arms.{{cite web|url=https://puolustusvoimat.fi/-/suomi-ja-ruotsi-allekirjoittivat-kasiaseisiin-liittyvan-tiedonvaihtosopimuksen|title=Suomi ja Ruotsi allekirjoittivat käsiaseita koskevan tiedonvaihtosopimuksen|language=finnish|trans-title=Finland and Sweden sign an information exchange agreement on small arms|date=26 April 2021|website=puolustusvoimat.fi|publisher=Finnish Defence Forces|access-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426123929/https://puolustusvoimat.fi/-/suomi-ja-ruotsi-allekirjoittivat-kasiaseisiin-liittyvan-tiedonvaihtosopimuksen|archive-date=26 April 2021|url-status=live}} The Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General {{Langr|fi|Petri Hulkko}} said in a press conference in October 2021 that Sweden was participating in the K22 program.

On 21 December 2021, the Finnish Defence Forces announced the procurement of the M23 in the planned two configurations, at an initial price of €10 million, with an option of up to €525 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.defmin.fi/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet_ja_uutiset/puolustusvoimat_hankkii_uusia_kivaarijarjestelmia_ja_tiivistaa_yhteistyota_ruotsin_kanssa.12389.news#1de6ab56|title=Puolustusvoimat hankkii uusia kiväärijärjestelmiä ja tiivistää yhteistyötä Ruotsin kanssa|language=finnish|trans-title=The Finnish Defence Forces acquires new rifle systems and tightens cooperation with Sweden|date=21 December 2021|website=defmin.fi|publisher=Ministry of Defence (Finland)|access-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221231209/https://www.defmin.fi/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet_ja_uutiset/puolustusvoimat_hankkii_uusia_kivaarijarjestelmia_ja_tiivistaa_yhteistyota_ruotsin_kanssa.12389.news|archive-date=21 December 2021|url-status=live}} The purchase includes also equipment for the rifle, spare parts, servicing equipment and training for the system by Sako. At the same time, the Minister of Defence of Finland {{Langr|fi|Antti Kaikkonen}} also authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to perform a joint acquisition with Sweden.

As of March 2023, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration intends to buy the M23 in both 5.56 and 7.62 variants of different barrel lengths, as part of a larger project to replace their current small arms inventory.{{cite web |url=https://www.fmv.se/projekt/eldhandvapen |title=Eldhandvapen |publisher=Swedish Defence Materiel Administration |language=sv |date=27 March 2023 |access-date=27 March 2023 }}

The 5.56 personal defense weapon (SSV 24) will have an 11.5 inch barrel, an Aimpoint CompM5 red-dot sight and Magpul furniture.{{cite web |url=https://www.fmv.se/globalassets/dokument/om-fmv/eldhandvapen_folder_digital_231120.pdf |title=Nya Eldhandvapen |publisher=Swedish Defence Materiel Administration |language=sv |access-date=2 December 2023 }}

The introduction of the 5.56 variant will start in 2025, and the 7.62 variants will begin seeing service in 2026. The 5.56 PDW variant with an 11.5" barrel will replace the current Swedish inventory of Ak 5D carbines and other PDWs, while the infantry 7.62 rifle (16" or 18") will replace existing Automatkarbin 5C rifles and Automatkarbin 4B/C rifles. The 7.62 marksman variant (18" or 20") will replace the Ak 4D DMR.

The Swedish procurement will supply both the armed forces (including Home Guard), police, customs service, SÄPO, and coast guard.

File:PISTONM16.gif

File:SAKO 556x45-600x188.webp

The Sako M23 is based on the American AR-10 and AR-15 (originally designed by Eugene Stoner), with a proprietary self-regulating short stroke gas piston.{{cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230160648A1/en |title=US20230160648A1 - Gas system of a firearm |publisher=Sako |date=25 May 2023 |access-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240827084439/https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230160648A1/en |archive-date=27 August 2024 |url-status=live }}

File:Sako 7,62x51 concept.webp

As displayed in the announcement of the adoption of the rifle system by the Finnish Defence Forces, and confirmed by Major {{Langr|fi|Mika Mäenpää}}, the rifle features a telescoping Magpul CTR stock,{{cite tweet |number=1473908273652895747|user=MMaenpaa1 |first=Mika |last=Mäenpää |title=Muutamia kysyttyjä faktoja Kiväärijärjestelmä M23:sta |language=fi |date=23 December 2021 |access-date=17 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223065314/https://twitter.com/MMaenpaa1/status/1473908273652895747 |archive-date=23 December 2021 |url-status=live }} green ceramic surface treatment, ambidextrous controls, has a full length NATO Accessory Rail (STANAG 4694) on top of the receiver and handguard for sights and M-LOK rail on the handguard for various accessories. FDF issued kit of the M23 includes 10 and 20 round magazines, bipod and an Ase Utra sound suppressor. The TKIV 23 has a Steiner Optics M7Xi 2.9–20×50 telescopic sight with the Finnaccuracy MSR reticle variant MSR FDF reticle, while the KIV 23 has a Trijicon VCOG 1–6×24 telescopic sight.

The Finnish Defence Forces also has signed a letter of intent with Nammo Lapua Oy for developing a domestically produced 7.62 cartridge for the Sako M23, the MG 3 and FN MAG which FDF uses.{{cite tweet |number=1507095536553312266|user=MMaenpaa1 |first=Mika |last=Mäenpää |title=#Kiväärijärjestelmä23 etenee! Sama patruuna käy myös PSVKK MG3:n ja PSVKK FN MAG:n. |language=fi |date=24 March 2022 |access-date=17 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324204237/https://twitter.com/mmaenpaa1/status/1507095536553312266 |archive-date=24 March 2022 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://puolustusvoimat.fi/-/puolustusvoimille-uusi-taistelupatruuna |title=Puolustusvoimille uusi taistelupatruuna |publisher=Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command |language=fi |date=23 March 2022 |access-date=17 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325062329/https://puolustusvoimat.fi/-/puolustusvoimille-uusi-taistelupatruuna |archive-date=25 March 2022 |url-status=live }}

• K22 – prototype.
• 7.62 KIV 23 – FDF designated marksman rifle variant.
• 7.62 TKIV 23 – FDF sniper rifle variant.
• Ak 24 – Swedish assault rifle in 5.56
• Ak 25 – Swedish battle rifle in 7.62
• Unnamed 7.62 marksman rifle variant for Sweden
• ARG S 40 - Civilianized variant of 5.56 KIV M23 made for the National Defence Training Association of Finland, equipped with 16 inch barrel and removed automatic fire capability.{{cite web | url=https://mpk.fi/en/ajankohtaista/uudet-sakon-kivaarit-mpkn-koulutuskayttoon/ | title=SAKO ARG S 40 – MPK -kivääri luovutettiin MPK:n koulutuskäyttöön }}

• {{flag|Finland}}
• {{flag|Sweden}}{{cite web |title=POTD: Sweden's New Automatic Carbine 24 |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2024/06/12/potd-swedens-new-automatic-carbine-24/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=The Firearm Blog}}

• M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System
• Heckler & Koch HK417

{{Reflist}}

{{ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives}}

{{SAKO}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sako M23}}

Category:7.62×51mm NATO battle rifles

Category:7.62×51mm NATO rifles

Category:5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles

Category:Assault rifles of Finland

Category:Sniper rifles of Finland

Category:Short stroke piston firearms

Category:Designated marksman rifles

Category:ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2022

M23