Sako M23

The Sako M23 is a Finnish family of assault and battle rifles designed by Sako in cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces and manufactured by Sako. The Swedish Armed Forces also participated in the development program for the M23.

The Finnish Defence Forces have adopted the rifle in two configurations, as the 7.62 KIV 23 (from Finnish kivääri 2023, 'rifle 2023'), designated marksman rifle variant and 7.62 TKIV 23 (from Finnish tarkkuuskivääri 2023, 'sniper rifle 2023') sniper rifle variant, which are to enter service in 2023. The M23 is based on the AR-10 and AR-15 design by Eugene Stoner but features an AR-18 short-stroke gas piston system. In March 2023, Sweden announced it will procure 5.56 and 7.62 variants of the M23 to replace their current carbine, rifle, and DMR inventory.

History
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 kokeilu, 'experiment'; literally 'E22'). 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 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. The Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General 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. 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 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. The 5.56 personal defense weapon (SSV 24) will have a 11.5 inch barrel, an Aimpoint CompM5 red-dot sight and Magpul furniture. 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.

Design
The Sako M23 is based on the American AR-10 and AR-15 with the short stroke gas piston action resembling the AR-18, all designs by Eugene Stoner.

As displayed in the announcement of the adoption of the rifle system by the Finnish Defence Forces, and confirmed by Major, the rifle features a telescoping Magpul CTR stock, 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 specifically designed ammunition for the Sako M23, which can also be used in the MG 3 and FN MAG which FDF uses.

Variants

 * 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
 * Unnamed 7.62 battle rifle variant for Sweden
 * Unnamed 7.62 marksman rifle variant for Sweden

Users

 * 🇫🇮 Finland