Monday, December 11, 2023
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

New Sharpshooter Rifle Added to Army’s Arsenal

by UK Ministry of Defence
January 19, 2010
in Army News
2 min read
0
14
VIEWS

A new rifle is being bought for troops in Afghanistan that will improve the long-range firepower available on the frontline, the Ministry of Defence announced today. The Sharpshooter rifle will fire a 7.62mm round and will enhance accuracy of engagement during longer-range firefights with the Taliban and this weapon will be used by some of the best shots in the Infantry.

The Sharpshooter will complement the already potent range of weapons used by our forces in Afghanistan, which includes:

  • SA80A2 assault rifles, which fires 5.56mm rounds;
  • Light Machine Guns, which fires 5.56mm rounds;
  • General Purpose Machine Guns, which fires 7.62mm bullets;
  • the Combat Shotgun, which fires 12-gauge shells;
  • the Sniper System, which fires 8.59mm bullets;
  • Javelin Weapons System, the integrated fire-and-forget missile system.

More than 400 of the semi-automatic Sharpshooter rifles have been bought as a £1.5M Urgent Operational Requirement. It is the first new Infantry combat rifle to be issued to troops for more than 20 years.

Training on the rifles will begin in mid January 2010 and the first batch will be sent to Afghanistan later in the year.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:

“Troops in Afghanistan are already bristling with a variety of weapons they can use when fighting the Taliban. The Sharpshooter rifle adds to this arsenal and provides them with an additional, highly-precise, long-range capability. This is a concrete example of where we add to our range of equipment to ensure our brave forces have the best kit available to them on the frontline.”

Colonel Peter Warden, Light Weapons, Photographic and Batteries Team Leader at Defence, Equipment and Support, said:

“The Sharpshooter rifle is very capable and has been bought to fulfil a specific role on the frontline in Afghanistan. It is a versatile weapon which will give our units a new dimension to their armoury. It will complement the SA80A2 by adding to the weapons available to Commanders on the ground. The Sharpshooter’s capabilities are also complementary to the current Sniper System.

“Initial feedback to the rifle has been very positive and the Army units deployed in Afghanistan are very keen to get their hands on it.”

New sights to be bought for the Sharpshooter rifle include the ACOG 7.62 mm x 6 day sights made by Trijicon of the USA and Magnum Universal night sight sourced through Omni Tech Partners of the USA. Both sights are being bought by Beechwood, the UK agent and distributor for Trijicon and Omni Tech. Personal Laser Range Finders will be provided by Vectronix, Switzerland.

Tags: afghanistanArmy & Security Forces NewsrifleSharpshooter
Previous Post

New Zealand Army Selects Thales for Small Arms Ammunition Supply

Next Post

Beijing denies China hackers attacked Indian govt

Related Posts

Indonesia Orders Additional CAESAR Artillery Systems

France to send more mobile artillery to Ukraine

February 1, 2023

France will ship 12 more Caesar truck-mounted howitzers and fresh air defence equipment to Ukraine to bolster the fight against...

Leopard tanks to arrive in Ukraine around late March: Germany

Leopard tanks to arrive in Ukraine around late March: Germany

January 27, 2023

Leopard tanks pledged by Germany to help Ukraine repel Russia's invasion will arrive in "late March, early April", Defence Minister...

Next Post

Beijing denies China hackers attacked Indian govt

Latest Defense News

First Shipment of New Gepard Ammunition Now on its Way to Ukraine

First Shipment of New Gepard Ammunition Now on its Way to Ukraine

September 6, 2023
China will ‘never commit to abandoning the use of force’ on Taiwan: Xi

China warns against ‘new Cold War’ as big powers meet in SE Asia

September 6, 2023
US sending 3,000 more troops to Poland, as Ukraine tension rises: senior official

Poland to spend over 4% of GDP on defence in 2024

September 6, 2023
North Korea pursues weapons despite Covid blockade: UN report

North Korea to pay ‘price’ if it gives Russia arms: US

September 6, 2023
USAF F-16 fleet undergoing largest modification work in history

Russia says F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine will be seen as ‘nuclear’ threat

July 13, 2023
North Korea says conducted new test of solid-fuel ICBM

North Korea says conducted new test of solid-fuel ICBM

July 13, 2023

Defense Forum Discussions

  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Indonesia: 'green water navy'
  • Calling any USAF members (or recently discharged) for general info
  • General Space News.
  • Indian Military Aviation; News, Updates & Discussions
  • Royal New Zealand Air Force
  • Hamas-Israeli War 2023
  • International Army News Thread
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com