Finnish Ministry of Defence Antti Kaikkonen has authorised, on 13 December 2019, the Defence Forces Logistics Command to procure ammunition for the Leopard 2 battle tanks. The new ammunition which will be procured from Israel Military Industries (Elbit Systems Land) are HE projectiles. The ammunition deliveries are scheduled for 2021 and the contract includes options for further procurement.
This is a completely new capability that will improve the fire power and ability of the battle tanks to engage different types of targets. The Defence Forces invited international tenders; the selected ammunition was tested in Finland and was found to be the best in meeting the requirements.
IMI Systems, also referred to as Ta’as, was an Israeli weapons manufacturer. Established in 1933, Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI) is a defense weapon system house, specializing in the development and manufacture of offensive and defensive solutions for the modern battlefield, Home Land Security and global terror. On 25 November 2018, Elbit Systems completed acquisition of IMI Systems and then renamed it as Elbit Systems Land.