The 120 KRH 92 (Finnish: 120 mm kranaatinheitin, malli 1992) is a 120 mm mortar manufactured in Finland.
Due to major general Vilho Nenonen's initiative, Finland has built mortars since the early 1930s and although they have not been exported, the designs have been used in many countries. The largest technological transfer of Finnish mortar technology took place in the 1950s, when the technology was transferred to Israel for Soltam.
The mortar is used to support battalions and companies in battle with indirect fire, to give support fire for infantry troops and coastal fortifications, and to apply smoke or illumination on the battlefield. It is usually transported by vehicle and the maximum towing speed is 80 km/h. The mortar is operated by a seven-man crew.
Mortar has been observed in August 2022 in use in Ukraine as part of Ukrainian operations in Russo-Ukrainian War. Photos reveal 4 persons in crew. Their delivery was not announced by Finland.[1]
Characteristics
edit- Caliber: 120 mm
- Weight:
- weight in operation 159 kg
- weight in transport 342 kg
- Rate of fire: 15 shots/min
- Range: 7.3 km (maximum effective range)
- Ammunition types: HE-fragmentation, smoke, illumination and practice rounds
- weight of fragmentation grenade 12.8 kg
- muzzle velocity of mortar, largest shell 362 m/s
- Made in Finland
See also
edit
- List of heavy mortars
- M120 120 mm mortar 120 mm mortar
- 2B11 Sani 120 mm mortar
- 2S12 Sani 120 mm mortar
- Cardom 120 mm recoil mortar system
- Soltam K6 120 mm mortar
- Soltam M-65 120 mm mortar
- 120mm M2 raiado 120 mm mortar
- Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 120 mm mortar
References
edit- ^ "Troops of the Ukrainian Navy using a Finnish 🇫🇮 120 Krh 85 92 120mm heavy mortar manufactured by Vammas". Ukraine Weapons Tracker. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
This is the first time these mortars are seen in Ukraine and like in other cases their delivery was not announced by Finland.
- ^ "Raskas kranaatinheitin 120 KRH" [Heavy mortar 120 KRH] (in Finnish). Maavoimat / Finnish army. Archived from the original on 2017-06-23. Retrieved 2017-07-22.