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Keeping the SA80 LSW though.
British Infantry Gets Firepower Boost
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued May 28, 2003)
British infantry units are to be equipped with one of the most effective Light Machine Guns in the world, Defence Procurement Minister, Lord Bach announced today.
The arrival of the 5.56mm FN Herstal Minimi, a belt-fed weapon, will dramatically boost infantry firepower, complementing the battle-proven SA80 A2 automatic rifle.
The Minimi has already proved itself in combat with British troops after the weapon was rushed into service as an Urgent Operational Requirement for the Iraq conflict.
Lord Bach said:
"The SA80 is an extremely accurate weapon against longer range targets and, in its improved A2 version, has now proved itself in battle in Iraq. But one of the lessons learned from the Kosovo campaign was the need for an additional lightweight weapon that can provide a high rate of suppressing firepower.
"Punishing trials have been carried out to find the weapon that best suited our infantry - light enough for one man to carry, reliable in all sorts of conditions, yet able to lay down a high rate of fire over sustained periods.
"The weapon is needed to help our troops win the initial infantry fire fight, to make sure the other side gives way so that our troops can achieve their objectives."
FN Herstal has been selected as preferred supplier of the new weapon. A contract valued at about £7.5 million is expected to be placed this summer.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
1.The Minimi, already in service with the US, Australian and Canadian military, saw combat service with 7th Armoured Brigade, 3 Commando Brigade and 16 Air Assault Brigade in Iraq.
2. Weighing only seven kilograms, the one-man-portable belt-fed Minimi can fire 750 rounds a minute - from a standing, kneeling or prone position.
3. Each four man infantry fire team will be equipped with one SA80 Individual Weapon, one SA80 with under slung grenade launcher, one SA80 Light Support Weapon, capable of high accuracy over long distances, and one Minimi.
4. An exhaustive series of trials, which saw four rival Light Machine Guns tested in challenging conditions in the UK, the Arizona desert, the jungles of Brunei and in temperatures as low as minus 35 degrees centigrade in Canada identified it as the most suitable weapon available.
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British Infantry Gets Firepower Boost
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued May 28, 2003)
British infantry units are to be equipped with one of the most effective Light Machine Guns in the world, Defence Procurement Minister, Lord Bach announced today.
The arrival of the 5.56mm FN Herstal Minimi, a belt-fed weapon, will dramatically boost infantry firepower, complementing the battle-proven SA80 A2 automatic rifle.
The Minimi has already proved itself in combat with British troops after the weapon was rushed into service as an Urgent Operational Requirement for the Iraq conflict.
Lord Bach said:
"The SA80 is an extremely accurate weapon against longer range targets and, in its improved A2 version, has now proved itself in battle in Iraq. But one of the lessons learned from the Kosovo campaign was the need for an additional lightweight weapon that can provide a high rate of suppressing firepower.
"Punishing trials have been carried out to find the weapon that best suited our infantry - light enough for one man to carry, reliable in all sorts of conditions, yet able to lay down a high rate of fire over sustained periods.
"The weapon is needed to help our troops win the initial infantry fire fight, to make sure the other side gives way so that our troops can achieve their objectives."
FN Herstal has been selected as preferred supplier of the new weapon. A contract valued at about £7.5 million is expected to be placed this summer.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
1.The Minimi, already in service with the US, Australian and Canadian military, saw combat service with 7th Armoured Brigade, 3 Commando Brigade and 16 Air Assault Brigade in Iraq.
2. Weighing only seven kilograms, the one-man-portable belt-fed Minimi can fire 750 rounds a minute - from a standing, kneeling or prone position.
3. Each four man infantry fire team will be equipped with one SA80 Individual Weapon, one SA80 with under slung grenade launcher, one SA80 Light Support Weapon, capable of high accuracy over long distances, and one Minimi.
4. An exhaustive series of trials, which saw four rival Light Machine Guns tested in challenging conditions in the UK, the Arizona desert, the jungles of Brunei and in temperatures as low as minus 35 degrees centigrade in Canada identified it as the most suitable weapon available.
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