The Norwegian Armed Forces Trust the FN MINIMI Light Machine Gun Again

FN Herstal, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of small calibre weapons and weapon systems, has recently been awarded by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence a multi-year contract for, firstly, the production and provision of up to 4,000 FN MINIMI® Mk3 (3rd generation) light machine guns in 7.62x51mm NATO calibre and associated initial spare parts over a 7-year period, and secondly, maintenance and support equipment over a 20-year period.

This decision concludes a program that was initiated by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence more than two years ago and included a series of technical evaluations and commercial negotiations in which FN Herstal competed against three American suppliers. Norway thus becomes the 37th country to select and standardise the FN MINIMI® 7.62 for its armed forces.

The Norwegian decision is yet more proof of the trust placed in FN Herstal by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence which, already in 2010, awarded a first sizeable contract for the supply of first-generation FN MINIMI® light machine guns, at that time in 5.56x45mm NATO calibre. It also marks a new major success for FN Herstal on several levels. Not only due to its size, but also because it confirms FN Herstal’s leadership as the partner of choice for European and NATO armed forces.