Sumitomo withdraws from Japanese machine gun tender
The M249 is the mainstay light machine gun in the JGSDF. (Koji Miyake)
Japanese small-arms production could take a hit as one major domestic manufacturer relinquishes its lead role.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is seeking a successor to its current M249 5.56mm light machine gun, but chief contender Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI) has decided to withdraw from the competition.
The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) signed a contract with Sumitomo subsidiary Sumisho Aero-Systems to introduce four FN Minimi Mk3 weapons in February 2020. ATLA had also signed a contract with JALUX in February to introduce four Heckler & Koch MG4s, with SHI contracted to produce five machine gun prototypes in March.
Since neither Sumisho Aero-Systems nor JALUX are manufacturers, they cannot produce these machine guns
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