The British Army will commence the replacement of 156,000 SA80 rifles via Project Grayburn from FY 2024/ 25, with contract award in FY 2027/ 28, entry into service FY 2029/ 30 and IOC in 2030/ 31.
And:
Grayburn will be a family of weapons based on a common lower receiver
3 to 4 different variants expected to be acquired (dismounted infantry / mounted infantry rifle, other arms rifle, PDW)
Funnily enough I heard the L144 has been extended to 2035 the other day so you might not be far off.
There is now an officially converted L85 that is chambered for .22 as well, designed for the biathlon team that has an L number and I’ve been trying to get details on.
I was hoping that the L144 would be scrapped before I got to shoot it, d@mn!
There is now an officially converted L85 that is chambered for .22 as well…
Now, that might be half-sensible to have - but only if the L85 is going to be retained long-term. Found this:
“The L402A1 (SA80 0.22 in.) offers an enhanced capability, conforming to the rules of the Army Winter Sports Association (AWSA) Military Patrol Race (MPR) competition. The Anschutz biathlon rifle is not robust enough to be used on the Patrol Race. The rifle replaces the Heckler & Koch (H&K) 0.22 conversion kit.”
I note the source article only mentions the British Army is getting a new weapon. We already know the Royal Marines are going their own way with Diemaco C7s or C8s. What are the odds of the RAF doing it’s own thing, possibly retaining the L85A3 because replacing it is a lower priority than for the Army?
My bet too - or at least not for a considerable timescale.
Heresy!! Burn him…
If only - would make local trg (if local access of course) so much easier. Trying to get resources all lined up for a residential weekend for L98 trg has been impossible.
I used to love playing with these as a cadet, as well as watching cadets in the lane next to me accidentally punch themselves in the face when cocking it.
