FN UK, the British arm of Belgium’s FN Herstal, has been awarded a £20 million, decade-long contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to upgrade and support the British Army’s L111A1 Heavy Machine Gun fleet. Announced on September 18, 2025, the deal ensures one of the Army’s most widely deployed crew-served weapons will receive critical mid-life improvements, enhancing reliability, lethality, and combat readiness well into the 2030s.
The contract covers mechanical upgrades, safety improvements, and logistics support designed to meet modern battlefield requirements. While detailed specifications remain classified, the program is expected to extend barrel life, improve the quick-change barrel (QCB) system, reduce operator workload, and streamline spare part supply chains—essential for maintaining high operational tempo during prolonged engagements.
The L111A1, the UK designation of the iconic M2 .50 caliber HMG, remains a cornerstone of British fire support. It is mounted on a variety of platforms including Jackal 2, Foxhound, WMIK Land Rovers, naval mounts, and can also be tripod-deployed for base defense. Capable of firing between 450 and 600 rounds per minute and engaging targets out to 2,000 meters, the weapon delivers devastating firepower against light armored vehicles, fortified positions, helicopters, drones, and enemy concentrations.
FN UK’s selection reinforces the UK’s commitment to sovereign industrial capability, keeping machine gun production, know-how, and maintenance expertise within the national defense base. MoD officials stated that this effort aligns with the Army’s Future Soldier initiative, aiming to deliver greater range, precision, and adaptability across its small arms portfolio.
By combining technical upgrades with a comprehensive through-life support plan, the program guarantees that the L111A1 will continue to provide unmatched suppressive fire and overmatch capabilities in future conflicts, cementing its role as a key enabler of British combined arms operations.
