The products shown as Defence & Law Enforcement products on this website are restricted for military develop and provide a complete range of solutions based on small calibre firearms and their associated ammunition with one goal in mind: to meet and exceed the requirements and expectations of Armed Forces and elite Special Forces worldwide While for most of its existence FN Herstal has been involved with traditional firearms the company identified an opening in the market in the early 2000s for a less lethal capability FN Herstal developed a family of impact projectiles that would deliver a sufficiently dissuasive level of pain within the impact zone to temporarily neutralize a suspect with minimum risk of causing a penetrating injury or collateral damage The latest configuration incorporates advanced technologies that significantly improve safety by reducing the risk of unintentional headshots and enable the recording of the scene Test your Less Lethal knowledge! Weapons used by military and security forces can stay in service for many years No matter where they are in their operational life they must remain as effective and reliable as the day they were delivered Through its 360-degree services support solutions FN Herstal ensures that fielded weapons and inventories remain mission-ready throughout their life The performance of ammunition not only affects a weapon’s effectiveness but also its safety and reliability. FN Herstal, as a firearms manufacturer and the original designer of the most widely used NATO standard calibres, is uniquely placed to ensure perfect compatibility between these two fundamental elements: firearms and ammunition. FN transfer of technology projects allow customers create or improve domestic production Read a buyer’s guide to military ammunition article We promote our long-standing expertise through regular news releases and attendance to trade shows all over the globe Belgium-based designer and manufacturer of small calibre weapons associated weapon systems and ammunition FN Herstal has recently announced the entry of a brand-new machine gun with unique features FN Herstal’s brand-new 9x19mm FN HIPER® combines in a single handgun utmost ergonomics Be informed about FN product ranges and activities To continue to provide our customers with high added value solutions and meet tomorrow’s challenges we are looking for new talent at many levels of the organization FN proudly equips the most demanding armed forces and law enforcement agencies worldwide as we commemorate our successful 135-year history we begin a new chapter in this exceptional legacy by unveiling a dynamic new brand identity that reinforces our global presence FN is positioning itself as one global brand ensuring greater consistency and recognition across our customers and partners we firmly affirm our role as an industry leader contemporary design enhances clarity and impact while staying true to our values: boldness This new identity is much more than just a visual change it is a strategic transformation that aligns with our mission to shape the future of defence and security By pushing the boundaries of innovation while maintaining unwavering reliability and performance FN remains the trusted partner for armed and security forces worldwide we are more than ever committed to supporting every mission with the same expertise and dedication that have defined us for 135 years reliable and differentiated solutions that you can trust defend and protect us with the most dependable defence and security solutions.” Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency” (CINEA) will enhance Armstrong’s capacity to produce innovative low-carbon technologies supporting Europe’s broader objectives of strengthening industrial manufacturing and advancing climate neutrality “This support allows us to fast-track the development of our heat pump production capabilities which are crucial for Europe’s journey toward decarbonization,” said Kurt Armstrong “High-temperature heat pumps are central to our Circular Thermal℠ methodology This approach is increasingly adopted by companies with Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments as they aim to decarbonize their thermal systems by 2030.” receiving a portion of the €1.4 billion in cleantech grants (additional to 3.4 Bn€ for end users’ projects) from the Innovation Fund— Europe’s flagship financial program for advancing innovative low-carbon technologies “This expansion is a critical step in delivering sustainable energy-efficient solutions for industrial applications across Europe,” said Rossen Ivanov “It will help meet the growing demand in Europe for decarbonizing industrial heat below 200 degrees Celsius by recovering waste heat from processes and cooling systems—reducing up to 70% of the primary energy demand at industrial sites in sectors like food and beverage This 'efficient electrification' not only contributes towards climate goals but also enhances energy security by replacing imported gas with local renewable electricity; and also boosts industrial competitiveness by reducing and stabilizing energy costs for EU industries." Construction at the Herstal site is set to begin in summer 2025 with the facility expected to be operational by early 2027 The project includes a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade over two years focusing on building a new modular facility capable of producing up to 50 MW of industrial high-temperature heat pumps by 2027 This initiative will also scale the advanced technology developed with Armstrong’s joint venture partner expanding capabilities to include direct low-pressure steam generation “We are proud to be part of a portfolio of innovative projects driving sustainable industrial transformation across Europe,” added Kurt Armstrong “But this expansion is also part of Armstrong’s broader program to increase production of industrial high-temperature heat pumps across the world The Herstal facility complements our expanding manufacturing capabilities in the United States and India as well as existing operations in China and Mexico.” Armstrong’s worldwide manufacturing capacity for industrial high-temperature heat pumps is set to exceed 200 MW positioning the company to meet growing global demand for decarbonization solutions These endorsements were crucial in demonstrating the alignment of our vision across private companies “The Armstrong team is fully dedicated to delivering the results of this project contributing to efficient electrification as part of the energy transition and positively impacting local employment—not only in Belgium but also across Europe where industrial transformations will take place.” For more information on Armstrong International, please visit ArmstrongInternational.com Armstrong International provides intelligent system solutions that improve utility performance As the industry’s leading thermal utility partner Armstrong International can satisfy unique requirements while helping to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption and emissions family-owned business provides hardworking products and more than a century of knowledge and experience — all organized with industry specificity Armstrong International is headquartered in the United States sales and seminar centers located throughout the Americas Josh SkalniakLambert by LLYCjskalniak@lambert.com the Small Arms Ammunition Technologies (SAAT) project has been launched under the coordination of FN Herstal This four-year programme aims to establish unified standards for small arms ammunition across Europe enhancing interoperability and bolstering Europe’s strategic autonomy in defence inaugurated in December at FN Herstal’s headquarters in Belgium and Ministries of Defence from nine countries and Switzerland convened to define the project’s governance and lay the groundwork for collaboration Key goals of the SAAT initiative include improving ammunition effectiveness against current and emerging threats advancing technologies related to projectiles and propellants and developing an optimised ammunition prototype These advancements aim to ensure that Europe’s defence forces are prepared to face evolving security challenges the SAAT project unites 18 partners from across Europe Prominent industry players such as FN Herstal and Fiocchi Munizioni are joined by leading research organisations This diverse partnership highlights Europe’s commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in defence technologies “This kick-off meeting marks the beginning of an ambitious journey to develop innovative ammunition solutions for Europe’s defence forces,” said Jonas Granberg Project Officer Ammunition Technology at the European Defence Agency (EDA) He emphasised that SAAT will deliver forward-looking solutions by leveraging expertise from across the continent Cookie Policy Copyright © 2025 Defence Industry Europe | mady by: geekon.eu We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The 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are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times the European leader in 70-mm rocket systems has inaugurated a new production line at its Herstal site a few months after the Belgian Minister of Defence Ludivine Dedonder signed a letter of intent expressing her support for the ramp-up of Thales’s ordnance production activities The higher production rates will make it possible to respond faster to the ammunition requirements of the armed forces The rocket is the NATO-standard 70-mm (2.75 inch) calibre currently being used in Ukraine Thales Belgium has laid the groundwork for increased production of 70-mm rockets to meet the needs of European armed forces Thales Belgium is the only manufacturer of these munitions in Europe the Group has hired more than 50 new staff strengthened the supply chain and moved towards vertical integration of a number of additional activities Production capacity will increase from 1,000 guided rockets to 5,000 by 2025 The rockets developed by Thales Belgium offer a high level of interoperability and resistance to jamming and can be deployed by many types of manned and unmanned land They are also suitable for use by drone countermeasures systems and to support ground-to-ground strike capabilities "The expansion of the 70 mm rocket production line responds to rapidly growing international demand due to a worrying global security situation In the face of today's geopolitical challenges this initiative contributes to strengthening Belgium's strategic autonomy and guaranteeing peace and security in Europe Thales’ s choice of Belgium for this expansion reinforces the R&D cooperation agreement signed with the Ministry of Defense in November 2023 ​ It also highlights the exceptional skills of Walloon workers in the field of precision technologies This inauguration perfectly illustrates my commitment to Defense and our country's economy in the service of our national and international security" "The geopolitical context in which we live today forces us to review our priorities and adapt I would like to underline the involvement of Thales Belgium which is responding to the needs expressed by the European armed forces Thales Belgium will increase its production capacity of 70mm rockets by a factor of 5 between now and 2025 We need to step up collaboration between the federal government and Wallonia to position Walloon industry as effectively as possible in defense markets Vice-President of Wallonia and Minister for the Economy “The inauguration of this new production line at the Thales site in Herstal demonstrates the Group's commitment to constant innovation and investment in strategic production capacities for Europe Supported by the Belgian government and the European Commission as part of its Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) Thales Belgium is making its expertise as European leader in 70mm rocket systems available to the European armed forces” Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence & Security It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development particularly in key innovation areas such as AI Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion serving three core markets — Defence & Security Aeronautics & Space and Digital Identity & Security — and developing products and solutions that help make the world safer Thales employs over 1,200 people in Belgium at nine sites (Herstal Thales Belgium consistently contributes to the country’s research and development programmes in particular in key sectors of innovation such as quantum technologies 2024 marks the 135th anniversary of the founding of the FN factory in Herstal will be changing its name to FN Browning Group This encapsulates the company’s two major brands - both of which have a lot of history behind them Herstal Group made the announcement as the company celebrated ‘ a historic net profit of 75 million euros [$81 million]’ in fiscal year 2023 The company said that the change would be “supported by a comprehensive brand identity” and accompanied by the announcement of a special ‘Ars Mechanica Exhibition’ dedicated to the Group’s brands and their contribution to Liège’s industrial heritage to be held at La Boverie in Liège (Belgium) from April to August 2025 Here’s FN Browning Group’s announcement in full: FN Browning group also published a company overview giving a bitesize look at the company’s history from 1889 to the present day: While FN Browning Group published the announcement on 5 July, the company’s website and initial announcement went live back in June. On 11 June, the newly rebranded parent company launched a new website and published a press release with more details The official name change occurred on 15 June and Julien Compère More by Matthew Moss Still not sure what Browning actually makes anymore (Or FN makes under the name Browning) but definitely a good idea especially as FN makes more and more inroads with US consumers Some of the best Bolt Actions on the market currently I tend to like the look of the FN roll mark I hope they don't toss away their history or this legendary logo If you have questions regarding your subscription of European Security & Defence contact our subscriber service: FN has begun an exciting new chapter in its successful 135-year history with a bold new brand identity that exemplifies and solidifies the company’s leading position in the defence and security market The new identity builds on FN’s exceptional legacy and demonstrates the company’s global reach and its modern innovative approach to defence and security FN is reaffirming itself as a dependable and trusted partner which addresses the challenges and opportunities our customers face While looking to the future, the new identity is a testament to the long history of industrial leadership that FN is known for and the esteemed brand that already resonates with global audiences Its contemporary design brings greater clarity and stronger impact FN’s iconic emblem – the intertwined ‘FN’ letters first introduced over a century ago – has long symbolised excellence and innovation for our customers and partners and is now shown as a trademark to highlight the exclusive and distinctive character of the FN brand It’s a confident statement that embodies FN’s new brand identity and its position as a leading innovator in the defence and security market it aligns with the company’s purpose to “empower those who serve defend and protect us with the most dependable defence and security solutions” FN’s new brand identity has also been built on the foundation of three key values: Bold determine what customers expect from FN products and services FN is ensuring greater consistency and recognition among our customers and partners marking its evolution from a firearms manufacturer to a global solutions provider which empowers armed forces and law enforcement agencies in every mission It also reaffirms its position as an industry leader VAT and banking information remain unchanged is one of very few weapons that has achieved legendary status It has served in almost every conflict of the past 60 years the first fully automatic machine gun designed in 1884 the FN MAG® is not a relic pressed into emergency service it is the 7.62x51mm calibre weapon of choice to equip latest-generation multi-million-dollar vehicles and helicopters for the world’s most technologically advanced military forces Simply because it carries out its many missions perfectly and nothing else comes even close to equalling it The Second World War was the largest test laboratory that has ever existed for combat tactics and weapons from many countries in every possible climatic condition and terrain and the military lessons and technologies were evaluated As peace returned FN Herstal rebuilt its severely damaged production site design engineers who had worked in exile returned FN Herstal already had decades of experience making Browning designed .50 Cal and .30 Cal machine guns and the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) As the FN design team headed by Ernest Vervier started to work on a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) a concept that had gained universal acceptance it studied what had already proved to be most effective the Mitrailleuse À Gaz (gas operated machine gun) took the best features from several earlier weapons and combined them with original design work that came together to create a truly outstanding weapon The FN MAG® is a 7.62x51mm calibre machine gun with belt feed though some were made to feed the German DM1 non-disintegrating belt The receiver is made of steel plates riveted together The quick-change barrel locks tightly into the receiver for improved accuracy and is fitted with a gas regulator that allows the rate of fire to be adapted to ensure optimal performance even in adverse conditions and very intensive firing The gas operated mechanism has a fixed long-stroke piston and locks into the receiver using a tilting locking lever The weapon fires from an open bolt to avoid the risk of a “cook-off” created by a round remaining in the chamber of a hot barrel being ignited as the powder heats up The trigger mechanism gives full auto fire only and has a cross-bolt safety First adopted by Sweden in 1958 as the Ksp58 in 6.5mm calibre all other FN MAG®s were made in the recently adopted 7.62x51mm NATO calibre The British army which had been testing the FN MAG® before it went into production officially adopted it in 1961 as the L7 series GPMG and licensed UK production started in 1963 Its exemplary performance in combat brought universal admiration from users Being a GPMG the FN MAG® filled the light and medium machine gun roles so it was adapted for use internally (coaxial) and externally (pintle) on vehicles This led to a vast number of configurations (at one time over 130) some versions being adapted to one specific vehicle Apart from the receiver and the moving parts almost all assemblies had variant configurations There were versions with solenoid remote firing systems with a cable in place of the cocking handle with the butt replaced by spade grips or just a rear block gas regulators that avoid releasing gas into the vehicle The FN MAG® was not alone on the GPMG market but it quickly gained the reputation of being the best Unlike its competitors the FN MAG® had a receiver made from machined steel plates Other weapons with sheet metal receivers were lighter but not as robust making them less suitable for medium machine gun roles Even for the infantry role the extra weight was accepted by users who carried it in combat their attitude was “I don’t mind the weight because I can totally depend on it when the shooting starts” In the mid 1970’s the US Army was developing new armoured vehicles that became the M1 Abrams tank and the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle they had decided to abandon the very unreliable M73/219 vehicle machine gun A program to select a replacement was started After very rigorous comparative testing the FN MAG® not only won achieving the highest results for reliability ever given by a machine gun in US army tests The FN MAG® was adopted as the M240 coaxial machine gun FN Herstal set up a manufacturing facility in South Carolina to produce the M240 and the M249 (FN MINIMI® 5.56) for the US market Its superb performance in vehicles so impressed the US military that the role of the M240 expanded to also fill infantry ship and aircraft applications in several configurations becoming the standard 7.62x51mm machine gun in US Armed forces These versions are produced by FN in the US for US customers and evolve to meet specific US requirements Meanwhile the FN MAG® continued on its path to domination of the world market The introduction of the FN MINIMI® light machine gun first in 5.56x45mm then in 7.62x51mm led to some countries going back to having separate weapons for the light and medium machine gun roles The FN MAG® has become the world standard in 7.62 NATO calibre medium machine guns and is still winning new markets It is currently produced by FN in three different sites: FN Herstal in Belgium ships or boats and remotely operated weapon stations the FN MAG® is the ultimate post-WW2 machine gun design Although designed over 60 years ago the FN MAG® remains fully up to date such as replacement of the wood buttstock with a polymer version or added top and side rails FN Herstal has always taken care to limit loss of compatibility of parts or assemblies between generations so guns that have been in service for decades can still be maintained With its excellent and regularly updated design manufactured to the highest quality standards the FN MAG® is set to continue serving the world’s most demanding combat forces for decades to come Learn more about its unmatched performance and discover why it remains the preferred choice for military forces worldwide. Visit the FN MAG® product page to explore its features and capabilities FN Herstal is proud to announce the official launch of the Small Arms Ammunition Technologies (SAAT) project coordinated by FN Herstal and conducted by a European consortium made of defence companies aims to establish a common standard for small arms ammunition in Europe in order to enhance interoperability and strengthen European strategic autonomy and sovereignty in defence During the kick-off meeting held at FN Herstal’s headquarters in mid-December representatives from the nine participating countries – i.e Sweden and Switzerland – established the project’s governance and laid the groundwork for collaboration the SAAT project brings together 18 European partners – large manufacturers and national defence bodies – all of whom bringing leading expertise in their respective fields Nobel Sport (France) and Swiss P Defence (Switzerland) As far as research organisations are concerned the consortium includes Armasuisse (Switzerland) TNO (The Netherlands) and WAT (Military University of Technology This diverse partnership underscores the commitment of European nations to fostering innovation and collaboration within the military small arms and ammunition sector “This kick-off meeting is the first step in an ambitious journey to develop innovative ammunition solutions for Europe’s defence forces,” said Jonas Granberg Project Officer Ammunition Technology at European Defence Agency (EDA) “By bringing together expertise from across Europe and forward-looking solutions that address today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.” the Group is officially changing its name to FN Browning Group “As we celebrate our 135th anniversary the name FN Browning Group highlights the leading brands that have built our outstanding global reputation John Moses Browning and FN Herstal joined forces in the 19th century to design pioneering small arms that gave birth to modern weaponry our products and services continue to set global standards for innovation and dependability FN Browning Group reflects our commitment to stay true to this DNA by continuing “to set market-leading standards that anticipate the needs of the most demanding defence institutions The FN Browning Group name change is supported by a comprehensive brand identity that reflects the Group’s strategy and details its vision This is presented on the Group’s new website: www.fnbrowninggroup.com FN Browning Group is also pleased to announce a major exhibition organised by its Ars Mechanica Foundation in collaboration with the City of Liège and hosted by the La Boverie Museum (Belgium) Open to the public from 25 April to 26 July 2025 the exhibition will be dedicated to the Group’s history its acute sense of innovation and its undeniable contribution to Liège’s industrial heritage It will feature a wide range of unique artefacts testifying to the achievements of the Group’s brands in the various fields they have explored since 1889: small arms “FN Browning Group has emerged stronger from 2023 with solid sales and a historic net profit All our operating subsidiaries ended the year with positive results and I would like to congratulate our teams in Belgium industrial and commercial fundamentals are solid and we can look forward to the coming months with confidence.” FN Browning Group posted sales of 908 million euros The Group’s net profit reached a record level of more than 75 million euros The FN Herstal subsidiary is returning to positive results thanks to sales of more than 300 million euros and the success of the cost reduction plans implemented since 2022 FN Browning Group will pay a dividend of 15 million euros to its shareholder Wallonie Entreprendre FN Browning Group presents its first activity report for the year 2023 It is introduced by an exclusive interview with the Belgian Minister of Defence It also presents the latest news from the Group its subsidiaries and its brands around the world and continuous improvements in corporate governance The 2023 Activity Report is available on the Group’s website: www.fnbrowninggroup.com/news/activityreport The FN booth was part of the Belgian pavilion All fields of FN Herstal’s activities were represented with a wide range of small arms land and sea integrated weapon systems and less lethal solutions with high quality cartridges from a reliable European source and the availability of tailored projects for the transfer of technology were also top priority for our customers Well known veterans with decades of legendary achievements such as the FN MAG® stood alongside the brand-new deFNder® 30x113mm remote weapon station and other recent additions including the FN HiPer® pistol and the FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T less lethal launcher the measure of success of a tradeshow is the visitors And here Eurosatory 2024 was outstanding for FN Herstal both in terms of quantity and quality of visitors Many official delegations spent time with us and we saw thousands of military and security forces personnel of all ranks from Europe A tradeshow with so many visitors and exhibitors is also of value to FN because it is an opportunity to discuss ideas for the future which is particularly valuable for a company that has always innovated to remain fully up to date with products that not only meet today’s requirements Eurosatory was also a kind of family gathering for FN Herstal Many employees working in development for instance were able to come and see how their end products are marketed We saw many of our agents and representatives with whom we have a very close relationship The Board of Directors also came to spend a day with us The FN teams who put so much effort into preparing the booth and receiving visitors left with the conviction that their work had been worthwhile Read also: FN EVOLYS®, the new ultralight machine gun by FN Herstal (6 May 2021)  The FN EVOLYS® ultralight machine gun has been given some modified features based on feedback from in-depth testing by potential customers during their own evaluation FN Herstal recently unveiled this new member of its illustrious family of machine guns It joins the FN® M2HB-QCB .50 (12.7x99mm NATO) calibre heavy machine gun the FN MAG® 7.62 NATO calibre medium/general purpose machine gun and the FN MINIMI® 5.56 and 7.62mm NATO calibre light machine guns Standardized by dozens of armed forces including many NATO members and allies they have totally dominated the NATO calibre machine gun market for decades chambered in 5.56x45mm or 7.62x51mm calibre designed to bridge the gap between the rifle and the light machine gun It has been undergoing trials with several armed forces who appreciated its greatly reduced weight long one-piece top rail allowing in-line mounting of optics and above all the intensive firepower of a belt-fed weapon Feedback identified two features that users suggested should be modified – and FN Herstal has incorporated them: An M4 type buttstock with ergonomics familiar to many users with adjustable length (6 positions) and adaptable cheek piece (2 heights) The optional bipod has been given stronger aluminium legs and a reinforced attachment interface providing a more stable and robust support The FN EVOLYS® with these new features will be displayed on the FN Herstal’s booth at Eurosatory 2024 to be held in Paris from 17 to 21 June FN Herstal’s deFNder® Medium remote weapon station can be fitted with FN® machine guns – including FN Herstal’s exclusive fast firing (1,100 rpm) .50 Cal (12.7x99mm NATO) FN® M3R - Thanks to its modular architecture this proven remote gun turret can be adapted for a very wide range of applications such as static positions It is now possible to order the deFNder® Medium configured for a Northrop Grumman M230LF 30x113mm cannon or a reversible conversion kit to upgrade existing RWS The deFNder® Medium equipped with the 30mm cannon is exceptionally low profile (< 80cm) and light (300 kg with gun and 50 rounds) compared to other similar systems The larger calibre gun gives increased range (effective up to 2,000m) and greater capability against a wide range of targets such as light armoured vehicles and many manned or unmanned aerial threats FN Herstal offers the market a unique proposition being the only partner to qualify its RWS with FN® machine guns 40mm AGL and M230LF for a total combat ready weight of less than 300 kg Published: December 2022 - Pages: 195 pages The deFNder® Medium fitted with the M230LF will be on display on the FN Herstal’s booth at Eurosatory 2024 to be held in Paris from 17 to 21 June European Consortium Launches the SAAT Project to Redefine Small Arms Ammunition Standards FN EVOLYS Gets Ergonomic Changes Based on User Suggestions A New Variant for Fn MINIMI Mk3 Light Machine Guns FN Herstal Launches a New Versatile Weapon Mount FN Herstal Ballistic Calculators Deployed by the French Army AFRL Awards Ursa Major $28.6M Contract for Responsive Space SAIC Awarded New $55M Mission Integration Contract From Space Development Agency SEA Secures Contract to Support UK Royal Navy Ship Availability and Resilience GDEB Awarded $12Bn Contract Modification for Virginia-Class Submarines GA-ASI's MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER Featured at US Army's PC-C5 Shield AI Partner to Integrate Autonomy on Unmanned Aerial Logistics Connector GA-ASI Delivers MQ-9A Block 5 Extended Range UAS to USMC IRIS Joins FAA Fight Against Rogue Drones in Extensive Detection Trials in New Jersey BAHA UAV Officially Inducted into Turkish Land Forces Inventory Elevate Your Business with Our Market Studies and LEGO® Magic Procurement officials at the Ministry of Defence have issued an open tender to purchase a new lightweight assault machine gun for dismounted troops says: "The Authority is running a project to procure a 5.56mm lightweight (current system 7.1kg) assault machine gun capability for the dismounted user." In 2018 the MOD confirmed it was dropping the use of the L110 A2 Light Machine Gun (LMG) which is better known to personnel as the Minimi This weapon weighs 7.2kg and saw widespread use in Afghanistan and Iraq FN Herstal's latest Mark 3 variant of the Minimi weighs around 8kg and would not meet the criteria of the procurement notice due to its weight some defence commentators have suggested a likely contender to replace the Minimi would be FN Herstal's brand new FN Evolys Ultralight Machine Gun 5.56x45mm Nato and 7.62x51mm Nato ammunition the FN Evolys 5.56mm has a much lighter weight of approximately 5.5kg Nato ammunition refers to the standardised cartridges that are designed to certain size specifications for use by all Nato armed forces members This reduces the logistical challenge of having to providing many different calibres and in theory means any soldier can be issued with another nation's ammunition on the battlefield The new contract is valued at up to £4m and weapons manufacturers and suppliers have until 24 March 2025 to submit their proposals No details have been given on when any new weapon system will enter service or be trialled however a contract start date of 1 June 2026 was provided in the notice have been typically used by dismounted infantry at section level in recent conflicts not-so-lightweight machine gun's high rate of fire poorer accuracy at greater distances and extra weight is enough of a substitute for something much lighter and accurate with less rate of fire the US military also decided to move away from the M249 being replaced it with the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle in the Marine Corps The British Army previously used the L86A2 Light Support Weapon at section level because it would have typically been handed to and carried by the most junior soldier in the section The L86A2 LSW was the bigger brother of the current in-service assault rifle The LSW had a greater range and accuracy due to its longer barrel but this also meant it was very front end-heavy and awkward to carry Due to the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq the LSW was quickly phased out and the Minimi was then used there are many weapons manufacturers using advances in technology to design and build much lighter alternatives And it has been the ambition of defence chiefs in recent years to provide troops with the ability to "fight light" and they see every 100g or so which can be shaved from the weight of weapons kit or uniform as a win for dismounted troops in close-combat roles The ongoing war in Ukraine has again proved that dismounted personnel carrying lighter kit and being less burdened along with good logistics and resupply is a battle-winning combination Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe to: It is the most widely used NATO calibre LMG being the standard weapon in many armed forces worldwide FN Herstal constantly adapts its products to align with evolving user requirements ensuring that they always retain peak combat effectiveness One requirement that is increasingly being expressed is for sufficient rail space to allow in-line mounting of optics The FN MINIMI is often fitted with an optical sight mounted on a rail that is integral with the feed cover it is difficult to mount two optics in-line on the current rail Configurations of both the FN MINIMI 5.56 Mk3 and FN MINIMI 7.62 Mk3 have been introduced with a long rail feed cover (23 slots) The one-piece rigid top rail gives sufficient rail length to mount two optics in-line a non-magnifying day optic with a magnifier Mounting both optics on a single rail provides reliable assembly and ensures greater accuracy The standard adjustable rear iron sight has been replaced by a flip-up ald folding non-adjustable rear sight for back-up use A cover retaining latch holds the feed cover open during loading unloading and clearing actions to counter the weight of the optics This ensures that handling is equally safe and easy with or without optics fitted These modifications give the user a valuable added capability that can make a real difference in current operational conditions available in 5.56x45mm NATO or 7.62x51mm NATO calibre will be on display at the FN Herstal stand at the major EUROSATORY trade show Thales has opened a new assembly line to accommodate a five-fold increase in the production of 70-mm laser-guided rockets at its Herstal site in Belgium The move is part of a wide-ranging research and development programme supported by the Walloon Region The new capacity is a major step in a €20 million investment plan launched in 2023 and boosted by the support of the Belgian government and the European Union's Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) plan “The inauguration of this new production line at the Thales site in Herstal demonstrates the Group’s commitment to constant innovation and investment in strategic production capacities for Europe FN Herstal’s deFNder Medium remote weapon station can be fitted with FN machine guns – including FN Herstal’s exclusive fast firing (1,100 rpm) .50 Cal (12.7x99mm NATO) FN M3R - It is now possible to order the deFNder Medium configured for a Northrop Grumman M230LF 30x113mm cannon The deFNder Medium equipped with the 30mm cannon is exceptionally low profile (< 80cm) and light (300 kg with gun and 50 rounds) compared to other similar systems being the only partner to qualify its RWS with FN machine guns FN Herstal’s long and illustrious history in the design and manufacture of high quality ammunition This is surprising given that FN contributed to designing the 7.62x51mm NATO and made the reference batch of the .50 Cal (12.7×99 NATO) FN Herstal’s range of small arms ammunition FN Herstal also has a long history in the field of technology transfer and enabling local production of ammunition FN Herstal has experience in selecting production sourcing raw materials and providing practical expertise in production management FN Herstal is therefore free to choose the best solution for the customer’s needs and flexible partner for all customers seeking to set up new facilities To discuss your current and future defence and security challenges come and see the FN Herstal team at BSDA 2024 The FN MINIMI® is often fitted with an optical sight mounted on a rail that is integral with the feed cover Configurations of both the FN MINIMI® 5.56 Mk3 and FN MINIMI® 7.62 Mk3 have been introduced with a long rail feed cover (23 slots) we are looking for new talent at many levels of the organization.