French infantry receives new FN SCAR-H rifles
French soldier in training with the FN SCAR-H rifle. (Photo: French Army)
Pictures of soldiers operating the rifles during training in Caylus camp were released by the French Army.
The 126th Infantry Regiment (RI) of the French Army has received 7.62mm FN SCAR-Heavy (SCAR-H) sniper rifles. Pictures of soldiers operating the handguns during training in Caylus camp were released on 23 February.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the rifle has a foldable buttstock adjustable to six-length and two height positions. Its two barrel options — 13in (33cm) Close Quarter Combat (CQC) or 16in Standard — are interchangeable to suit operational needs.
Dual magazine catches and selector levers and a reversible cocking handle make the rifle ambidextrous. It can also be fitted with an FN40GL 40mm low-velocity grenade launcher. It can be fired in semi-automatic, automatic or semi-automatic modes with a 550-650rpm rate of fire.
The SCAR-H was developed to meet a US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) requirement for a SOF Combat Assault Rifle. It is in USSOCOM service as the MK17 Mod 0 and the SCAR family has been sold to more than 20 countries.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Hundreds of Boxers with Puma turrets ordered for Dutch and German forces]()
Hundreds of Boxers with Puma turrets ordered for Dutch and German forces
The order is for 270 vehicles, 222 of which are infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) known as Schakal (Jackal), which integrates the advanced Puma IFV RCT30 turret onto the Boxer chassis.
-
![AUSA 2025: Hanwha Aerospace reveals new wheeled artillery system]()
AUSA 2025: Hanwha Aerospace reveals new wheeled artillery system
The aerospace company showed a model of its new mobile howitzer at AUSA in Washington, where a representative told Shephard more about its design.
-
![AUSA 2025: BAE Systems delivers more than 500 AMPVs to the US Army]()
AUSA 2025: BAE Systems delivers more than 500 AMPVs to the US Army
The US Army requires 2,907 Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles to replace its M113 family, and there are multiple versions in production.
-
![AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract]()
AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract
AM General presented its new Hawkeye at AUSA 2025 in Washington, with prototypes of the howitzer system having been trialled in Ukraine last year.
-
![AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready]()
AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready
In September 2025, BAE Systems announced that it was joining GM Defense and NP Aerospace to form Team Lionstrike. The team will be offering a version of GM Defense’s infantry support vehicle which is based on the commercial Colorado vehicle.
-
![AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement]()
AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement
The CAESAR Mk II, which was debuted internationally at Eurosatory last year, is a step up from the first model which has seen combat in Ukraine and the Middle East.
