The Danish Ministry of Defence’s procurement and logistics agency (FMI) announced on August 7, 2025, that it had signed a contract for the acquisition of a significant number of M/60E6 light machine guns. According to the ministry’s website, the deal was finalized in just six weeks, with all deliveries scheduled to be completed before the end of the year. The purchase is financed through the Acceleration Fund, created to support urgent defense procurements.
The new weapons will primarily enter the Army’s inventory but will also be distributed to other branches of the armed forces as well as the Home Guard. This will enhance weapon availability for training, refresher programs, and exercises. Additional live-fire training sets will also be procured, giving soldiers greater opportunities to train with live ammunition. The machine guns will be paired with the newly delivered VooDoo-S thermal sights, designed for battlefield durability.
The M60E6 is the latest variant of a machine gun family dating back to the 1950s. First adopted by the U.S. Army in 1957, the original M60 saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, though it gained a mixed reputation due to its weight and durability issues. Over time, several versions were introduced, with the U.S. Navy SEALs adopting the M60E4 (Mk 43).
Produced by U.S. Ordnance, the M60E6 incorporates improvements drawn from over 50 years of operational feedback. Chambered in 7.62 x 51 mm NATO, the weapon is gas-operated, belt-fed, and features a quick-change barrel with an offset handle for safer replacement. It comes with an aluminum feed cover fitted with a Picatinny rail for optics, as well as additional rails for laser aiming devices and sensors, offering full day-and-night capability.
Lighter than its predecessors, the M60E6 provides infantry with greater mobility while maintaining an effective rate of fire between 500 and 650 rounds per minute, balancing accuracy and firepower. Its cobalt-chrome-lined barrels extend service life, while the compatibility of its components with earlier M60 models eases maintenance and logistics.
Denmark first adopted the M60E6 in 2014, replacing the MG3 (designated M/62). Weighing 9.27 kg and paired with the Elcan C97 optic, it quickly became a cornerstone of the country’s infantry support arsenal. With this new order, Denmark further strengthens the role of the M60E6 as a central element of its modernized fire support capability.
