The Estonian Defence Forces have selected their new 8.6mm (.338) precision rifle. Following the recent news of Finland and Sweden’s selection of a raft of Sako firearms, Estonia has signed agreements to procure the M10 as their new precision rifle.

Sako @ TFB:

• Sako TRG M10 Precision Rifles for the Finnish Defence Forces
• National Defence Training Association of Finland (MPK) Procures Sako’s New Semi-Auto Rifle
• Finnish and Swedish Defence Forces to Acquire Joint Range Of Firearms From Sako
• SAKO TRG M10 Rifle Announced Winner of Canada’s MCSW Program

As of March 2023, the competition to replace the Sako TRGs procured back in 2007, included the CG Haenel HLR Pro, Desert Tech SRS M2, Sako TRG M10 and the Unique Alpine TPG Nx. Magnus-Valdemar Saar, Director General of ECDI and Estonian National Armament Director, explained that: “though the initial order is rather small the overall volume of the contract is up to 40 MEUR. First deliveries are expected next year.” Estonia’s ERR published an article about the rifle trials last month. Ramil Lipp, head of the Estonian defense investment center’s armaments department, told ERR that: “the snipers have actually contributed to this entire procurement. On the technical side, we have coordinated, looked at all their data and requirements together, so you could actually say that they already know what they are dealing with today.”

Sako’s M10 came out on top during the testing and on 26 April a contract to procure the rifles was signed at the Estonian embassy in Finland.

Not long ago I shared 🇪🇪 @Kaitsevagi new sniper rifle test firing videos. Today I had the pleasure of ✍️ with the winner Sako Ltd. Always a pleasure to do business with producers from nighbouring countries 🇪🇪🤝🇫🇮.
Biggest thanks to the @EstEmbassyFI and @sakkov for hosting. pic.twitter.com/dHPy8ihrPT

— Magnus-Valdemar Saar (@magnus_saar) April 26, 2023

Here’s Sako’s description of the M10:

Sako TRG M10 is a bolt action, multi-caliber, manually operated, magazine-fed, shoulder-fired sniper rifle that provides a single weapon system solution for many different applications. A high level of configurability makes the TRG M10 and extremely versatile platform: it easily converts from a true long range precision rifle to a more compact piece of equipment. Among other features, Sako TRG M10 offers several different calibers and barrel lengths. The multicaliber sniper rifle comes with a high-capacity magazine and fully adjustable stock that is available in hundreds of configurations. There are currently three standard color options to choose from: Stealth Black, Tungsten Grey and Coyote Brown.

Everything set up for a signing ceremony for the purchase of sniper rifles for ⁦@EstonianDefence⁩ from 🇫🇮 company Sako Ltd . Picture is illustrative, it will b signed from 🇪🇪 side by ⁦@magnus_saar⁩ pic.twitter.com/fW6Y51MmBH

— sven sakkov (@sakkov) April 26, 2023

Following the signing of the contract Juha Alhonoja, General Manager of Sako Ltd., said: “our great thanks for The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments for the trust we have received. We are honored that the ECDI has selected our rifle to meet the end users’ exacting requirements,” concluding, “It is important to Sako that our products are widely appreciated among professionals around the world and this framework agreement proves it once again.” Delivery of the rifles will begin in 2024 and the first tranche of approximately 70 M10s will be issued to the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Defence League.