Finland has completed the formation of a new artillery battalion armed with 52-caliber towed 155mm K98 howitzers. Finland thus becomes the first country in Europe to field 155mm artillery with such long barrels. The battalion has 18 guns (three batteries of six); guns for a second battalion are under production and guns for the third battalion will be ordered in the future. These long-barrel guns are used for corps-level support. With base-bleed ammunition, these guns can reach 42km.--Stephen V Cole