With regard to the concerns raised about the costs per rifle (post 877) and separately, the topic of barrel replacements (post 900), would there be any merit in transferring some of the contract cost, on a Euro-for-Euro basis, to avail of one of the other, original Steyr AUG family upgrade options i.e. the LMG (Light Machine Gun) conversion?
Steyr may have kits in stock (after an original batch production..?) and the process would be very similar to what is proposed/ongoing now, with only a limited number of parts involved - longer heavier barrels, extended magazines and internal parts alteration for 'open bolt' (machinegun) operation.
Judging by previous comments on this site, the only proviso may be that the bi-pod at the end of the barrel may make it too accurate for a machinegun that is meant to spread its fire in support... like the experience with the UK's SA80 LMG? (so something more akin to the bi-pod placement of the 'Ultimax', 'Bren' LMG or 'Vz52' MG may be more usefull, (and also dispense with the unique flash hider/muzzle break).
Would such an LMG upgrade, alongside the general rifle upgrades, be a useful and significant addition for the army (and VRM for the tax payers account) rather then reliance solely on improving the rifles for individual use? (Would it also, in a small measure, bring another element of the Defence Forces armaments closer to those of other European armies - including the Russians!?).
Steyr may have kits in stock (after an original batch production..?) and the process would be very similar to what is proposed/ongoing now, with only a limited number of parts involved - longer heavier barrels, extended magazines and internal parts alteration for 'open bolt' (machinegun) operation.
Judging by previous comments on this site, the only proviso may be that the bi-pod at the end of the barrel may make it too accurate for a machinegun that is meant to spread its fire in support... like the experience with the UK's SA80 LMG? (so something more akin to the bi-pod placement of the 'Ultimax', 'Bren' LMG or 'Vz52' MG may be more usefull, (and also dispense with the unique flash hider/muzzle break).
Would such an LMG upgrade, alongside the general rifle upgrades, be a useful and significant addition for the army (and VRM for the tax payers account) rather then reliance solely on improving the rifles for individual use? (Would it also, in a small measure, bring another element of the Defence Forces armaments closer to those of other European armies - including the Russians!?).
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