Norwegian Armed Forces procure 4,000 Minimi guns
FN Minimi Mk3 light machine gun. (Photo: FN Herstal)
FN Herstal announced on 3 September a multi-year contract with the Norwegian MoD to provide 4,000 FN Minimi Mk3 (3rd-generation) light machine guns in 7.62x51mm NATO calibre.
The agreement also comprises the supply of spare parts for seven years and maintenance and support equipment for more than 20 years.
This decision concludes a programme that was initiated by the Norwegian MoD more than two years ago and included a series of technical evaluations and commercial negotiations.
The Norwegian MoD also awarded FN Herstal, in 2010, a contract for the supply of first-generation FN Minimi light machine guns, at that time in 5.56x45mm NATO calibre.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the FN Minimi 7.62 Mk 3 Tactical comes with a buttstock adjustable in length (five positions) and cheek rest height (four positions).
It has an integrated feed cover with an upper rail, lower and lateral rails, adjustable-height bipod, feed tray with belt retaining pawls, quick-change barrel and optional heatshield.
Variants of the weapon have a short or long barrel and a telescopic (Para model) or fixed buttstock (Standard model).
In service, FN Minimis can be upgraded partially or completely using conversion kits to meet the user’s preference. The FN Minimi 7.62 Mk 3 can be converted to fire 5.56x45mm ammunition.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
DSEI 2025: ARX Robotics unveils combat version of Gereon UGV
Combat Gereon uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) will be unveiled with Valhalla Turrets’ Loki remote-controlled weapon station, showcasing modular payload integration and full interoperability within ARX’s Mithra operating system-enabled ground fleet.
-
Shephard's DSEI 2025 Show News Portal is live
Join Shephard for the latest news from DSEI 2025.
-
"The next industrial revolution": Pearson Engineering embraces autonomy and robotics
In Conversation: Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan talks to Pearson Engineering group chief executive officer Ian Bell about how the company is turning to new technologies to provide critical protection and mobility for troops on the front line.
-
First Czech CV90 MkIV rolled out as part of multi-billion-dollar programme
The Czech Republic CV9030 MkIV has a more powerful 1,000HP engine than the previous variant and an upgraded X300 heavy-duty transmission.
-
Digital backbone: bringing new capabilities to the UK defence market
In Conversation: Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan talks to Bittium’s newly appointed general manager for UK defence, Dean Aldridge, about how the company’s tactical communications technologies can empower the British armed forces, and its ambitions for the UK market.