Quick recap (for Don et al.): Finnish 2A6s to be delivered early, OOB dates still stand correct.
First batch of Finnish 2A6s from Netherlands will be delivered in May 2015, approximately 20 vehicles.
Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, in Finnish
Quote:
First Leopard 2A6 tanks that Finland bought will be shipped to port of Hanko in May. It is a batch of about 20 vehicles from the purchase from Netherlands.
Finland bought a year ago a hundred 2nd hand Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks. The total price was about 200 million euros. They will replace little by little the currently used Leopard 2A4 models which Finland currently has 139 units.
According to military personnel the new tank has improved firepower and maneuverability.
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First conscripts to lay their hands on them will be conscripts of July 2016.
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Training with old tanks will cease in 2017. After that they will be used in reserve training.
"We are also prepared to utilize 2A6s earlier. In case of urgent need we can re-train 2A4 operators into 2A6 equipment.", says Colonel Jukka Valkeajärvi.
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There is already a newer model of Leopard tank family, 2A7.
"Germany has couple dozens of them and they are ordering more. There's little changes externally compared to 2A6", says Valkeajärvi.
"The differences are mostly fire control system and further improvements to night operation capability."
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That "2A7 doesn't differ much from 2A6" is what puzzles me a bit, as I'm under impression that 2A7 should have better armor.
Other stuff from the article in short:
- The tanks are delivered in operational condition
- The FDF personnel have already been trained to the system in Netherlands