British Army Drops MINIMI, 60mm Mortar and L86 Light Support Weapon
The British Army has announced some major changes to its infantry small arms, confirming that it will drop the FN Herstal PARA MINIMI (L110A3) at the fire team level, the Hirtenberger M6-640 60mm mortar, and the L86A2 light support weapon.
The British MoD confirmed that some elements of Joint Force Command would retain the L110A3.
The M6-640 60mm mortar will be phased out by April 2019. Like the L110, the M6 was procured initially as an urgent operational requirement (UOR) and was used by dismounted infantry in Afghanistan. Various potentialreplacement options include Saab‘s CARL GUSTAV 84mm Anti Tank weapon.
The L86A2 light support weapon will also be phased out of service by the spring of 2019, with the procurement of further Lewis Machine & Tool Company’s (LMT) L129A1 7.62x51mm Sharpshooter Rifles to fill the gap.
