 Finnish Warrior 2020 Programme
Major Matti Honkela, Programme Manager for Finland’s Warrior 2020
outlines his country’s approach to soldier modernisation
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Finland works closely with other countries' militaries and defence organizations, such as participation in NATO's combined Exercise Combined Endeavor and will continue to do so in the area of soldier modernisation © DoD |
Q: What’s the goal of Warrior 2020?
A: The goal of the Warrior 2020 programme is to have a modern Soldier System in operational use by 2020. If we want to have the system operational and to be fielded for the troops by 2020, that will mean that the procurement has to be started by 2017. To avoid the “teething troubles” (technological problems) the testing with real prototypes (or even “pre-series” system) has to be started in 2014 (or even 2013.)
Q: What has been the development path for Warrior 2020?
A: Traditionally we have developed the soldier’s equipment/gear - uniform, load carriage equipment, combat belt, winter clothing, etc and then procured subsystems which were added to complete the system. Good examples of this approach are Soldier Equipment Model -91 and Soldier System M/2005. After introducing the M/2005, we decided to look at the next generation Soldier System (W2020) as a whole and not to rush its development.
The Warrior 2020 study was started at the beginning of 2006, just after introducing Soldier System M/2005. The first phase was to define operational requirements for the future and analyse what might be the major changes in future operations within the next 10 to 15 years. That basic work was done during 2006-2008. To be honest, this kind of process will continue throughout the definition and development phase.
After studying the LOI countries Common Staff Target document – which was the rationale for the EDA’s CEDS (Combat Equipment for Dismounted Soldier) work – and finding lots of similarities in our own operational baseline document, we decided to join the CEDS programme. Since 2007 we have been developing the common staff requirements (CSR) within the framework of the EDA with eight other nations.
Q: What trialing has been done thus far to help formulate the requirement?
A: During 2006-2009 we have been testing the most modern subsystems which can be bought on the market for test purposes. This has helped us to understand the balance between:
- Ballistic protection and weight
- Situational awareness and complexity of the system
- Effectiveness of weapon systems and other capabilities the soldier needs in his tasks
Consequently, we have procured different kinds of test equipment - ballistic protection, new weapon systems, Non Lethal ammunition, sensors and night vision devices, short range radios and range finders for test purposes and have been conducting field trials.
In June 2008 we started a study called SAWUI (Situational Awareness and Wearable User Interfaces) with our universities and research centres. The study will last two years (2008-2010) and the aim of SAWUI is to clarify:
- What is the right level of information for the single
soldier, squad leaders and platoon leaders
- What information overloads him so as not to be
able to fulfill the main task
- How the information should be presented, based
on his role on the battlefield
Next year we will start the so called Technology Program 2010 – Warrior (TP-W). TP-W will last three years (2010-2012) and is divided into four subprogrammes:
- System integration and new energy sources
- W2020 situational awareness
- Sensor fusion and modern night sight/target
acquisition system
- Communication system for territorial units by using
COTS components
The requirement is that all those sub-programmes mentioned above shall develop a prototype system for test purposes.
Q: Legacy equipment and the issues related to them figure strongly in all SMPs. What decisions have been made about existing equipment for Warrior 2020?
A: Study and testing will tell us what legacy equipment will be retained in the next ten to 15 years in our operational units. To be able to equip large war time reservist Land Forces we have to utilise our most modern existing equipment after 15 years. This means that when we start procuring the Warrior 2020 System for operational units, their existing equipment will be transferred to territorial units.
At the moment there has been a lot of discussion about the effective calibre for assault rifles. Our 7.62X39 cal assault rifle has proved to be effective in demanding environments. It’s quite sure that the majority of the soldiers will have the Finnish 7.62x39 assault rifle in 2020.
Q: What is being done to improve capabilities prior to the entry into service of Warrior 2020?
A: Based on our capability development plans, the focus in the near future is to improve our Special Forces units with an all capability area and night fighting capability and for operational units by procuring night vision goggles, weapon night sights and night observation devices. Those equipments will be integrated in our Soldier System M/2005.
Q: How does Finland’s policy of Total Defence influence your requirement for Warrior 2020?
A: Our challenge is to support a large reservist Army and the ability to equip all troops. We have to find a cost effective way to renew systems for our operational units and use effective existing equipment with territorial units.
Our basic principle has been (and will be in the future) that we train and equip units for their special tasks. For example, we have units for MOUT operations and they are trained for that and have special equipment needed in urban operations. Territorial units are trained for defensive operations and they don’t need the same kind of mobility as operational units which are trained and equipped for offensive operations.
Q: What influence does the need to support peace keeping operations have on the design?
A: Our troops are operating in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Chad at the moment. The starting point is that we develop/procure materiel meant to be used for National Defence. On the other hand – based on the latest Defence White Paper ‘Finnish Security & Defence Policy 2009’ – there is a requirement that, “The troops can operate in all forms of crisis management, ranging from combat forces tasks to humanitarian operations.” So we have to take that into consideration while developing the W2020 system.
Q: What is your approach to C4I in the programme?
A: Because of our doctrine and large number of different type of units we have to put our existing communications system to good use for territorial units in the future. For the W2020 concept however we are looking for something new. By having both old existing and new the challenge is the interface between the communication systems.
Q: How is the work on soldier modernisation at NATO and the EDA influencing what you do?
A: Our point of view is that NATO and EDA are not competing organisations. We are participating in NATO Land Capability Groups (LCGs). What we see is that NATO is focusing on standardisation and common interfaces. EDA, for their part, are working with common requirements and encouraging common procurement programmes within the framework of the EDA. The only way to develop a relationship with NATO in the area of soldier modernisation is to participate in LCG 1 and it’s working groups.
Q: What are your views on multi-national co-operation and joint development of systems with other countries?
A: The fact is that the complete Warrior 2020 System will be very expensive. Development costs are a major part of those costs. At the moment we don’t see it as sensible to develop a unique Finnish Soldier System. Based on that fact we are looking for partners who have the same (or almost the same) requirements for their Soldier System as we do. Important issues for us are cold temperature resistance (because of our Scandinavian location) and simplicity/usability of the system.
Q: What role is there for Finnish Industry in the programme?
A: IT know-how is at a high level in Finland. Technology Program 2010–Warrior identifies those technology areas which are in a high level in Finland at the moment. Our industry is capable of developing systems for: situational awareness, communications, C4I subsystems, ballistic protection and ammunition. In all other areas of technologies we will require overseas support. ■
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