120 KRH 92
| 120 KRH 92 | |
|---|---|
On display during the Finnish Defence Forces 2014 Flag day | |
| Type | Heavy mortar |
| Place of origin | Finland |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See operators |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Patria Vammas Oy |
| Specifications | |
| Mass |
|
| Length | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Barrel length | 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) |
| Shell | High-explosive fragmentation, smoke, illumination, practice[1] |
| Caliber | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Elevation | 45−80° |
| Traverse |
|
| Rate of fire | 15 rounds per minute |
| Maximum firing range | 7,300 m (24,000 ft) |
| References | [2] |
The 120 KRH 92 (Finnish: 120 mm kranaatinheitin, malli 1992) is a 120 mm mortar manufactured in Finland.
Design
The KRH 92 is a conventional 120 mm (4.7 in) smoothbore mortar, with a high tensile-strength steel alloy barrel and baseplate. The KHR 92 is a sturdy weapon and stable in all kinds of terrain. It is designed for quick employment and redeployment: it takes less than a minute to emplace the mortar. The baseplate provides a full 360° traverse without the need of moving it.[3]
Two versions of the KRH 92 were developed: a long-range version capable of firing a mortar bomb (either by simply dropping it inside the barrel or pulling the trigger) at a distance of 8,600 m (28,200 ft) and lighter version with a shorter barrel with a range of 7,300 m (24,000 ft).[3]
The light version, which is the standard 120 mm mortar of the Finnish Army has a shorter barrel, a modified carriage, the bipod is made of high-strength aluminum instead of steel, and the firing mechanism is simplified, being capable of drop firing only. But the firing pin can be retracted by pulling a lever to clear misfires or interrupt firing.[2]
The KRH 92 can be mounted and fired (at a 54° angle) from the trailer unit of a Patria tracked articulated vehicle.[4]
The mortar has seen use during the Russo-Ukrainian War with Ukrainian forces. For security reasons, Finland has not officially disclosed the quantity or exact types of equipment supplied to Ukraine.[5]
Operators
See also
- 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
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b Jones & Ness 2010, p. 529.
- ^ a b Hogg 1994, p. 377.
- ^ "Articulated Tracked Mortar Carrier 120 KHR TEKA". Puolustusvoimat. The Finnish Defence Forces. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- ^ Kushnikov, Vadim (20 January 2023). "Finland transfers heavy armament and ammunition to Ukraine as the largest aid package to date". Militarnyi. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- ^ IISS 2025, p. 87.
- ^ IISS 2025a, p. 200.
Bibliography
- Hogg, Ian V, ed. (1994). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1994-1995 (20th ed.). Surrey: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-1159-8.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (11 February 2025). "Chapter Three: Europe". The Military Balance. 125 (1). Taylor & Francis: 152–205. doi:10.1080/04597222.2025.2445475. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (11 February 2025). "Chapter Four: Russia and Eurasia". The Military Balance. 125 (1). Taylor & Francis: 152–205. doi:10.1080/04597222.2025.2445476. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- Jones, Richard D; Ness, Leland S, eds. (2010). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010−2011 (36th ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2908-1.