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In 2014,the French armed forces launched a tender to select a new assault rifle known as "AIF" (Arme Individuelle Future,future individual weapon) to replace the FAMAS that has been equipping the French armed forces and Gendarmerie since 1979. The weapon is ageing,can no longer be upgraded and its maintenance and spare parts costs getting more and more expensive given the original manufacturer no longer exists.
The original tender called for the delivery to the French armed forces of 93.080 rifles,half in a short barrel version,the other with a long barrel.
In 2015,five finalists were shortlisted ;
HK416A5 from Heckler und Koch
FN SCAR-L from FN Herstal
ARX160 from Beretta
SIG516 (or MCX) from Sig Sauer
VHS2 from HS Produkt
After a tough competition and long testing process,the German HK416A5 and the Belgian SCAR-L were shortlisted.
In 2016 finally,the French MoD has announced the HK416A5 from Heckler und Koch will replace the FAMAS as the standard assault rifle of the French Armed Forces. H&K will deliver 117.000 rifles as well as 10.767 under barrel grenade launchers,a contract valued at €168m.
The French version of the HK41615 will be known as HK416F. First rifles were delivered in 2017. By the end of the year 53.000 rifles would have been delivered to the French armed forces.
The rifles are delivered in two versions ;
-HK416F-C with an 11" barrel. (279mm) Lenght : 741 mm to 842mm with adjustable stock,empty weight of 3,450 kg.
-HK416F-S with a 14.5" barrel. (368mm) Lenght : 831mm to 931mm with adjustable stock,empty weight of 3,755 kg.
There are few differences between the HK416A5 and the HK416F but the main differences with the original version are ;
-Flip-up sights aren't integrated to the rail system,meaning they can be removed.
-A specialized bayonet lug.
-A cold hammered barrel and a barrel muzzle to attach and fire rifle grenades.
-No adjustable gas regulator. (Conventional forces do not need suppressors anyway)
-Soldiers receive the E1 buttstock instead of the slime line one. (More comfortable)
In 2018,the French MoD signed a contract for the delivery of up to 120.000 AIMPOINT COMPM5 red dot sights.
The original tender called for the delivery to the French armed forces of 93.080 rifles,half in a short barrel version,the other with a long barrel.
In 2015,five finalists were shortlisted ;
HK416A5 from Heckler und Koch
FN SCAR-L from FN Herstal
ARX160 from Beretta
SIG516 (or MCX) from Sig Sauer
VHS2 from HS Produkt
After a tough competition and long testing process,the German HK416A5 and the Belgian SCAR-L were shortlisted.
In 2016 finally,the French MoD has announced the HK416A5 from Heckler und Koch will replace the FAMAS as the standard assault rifle of the French Armed Forces. H&K will deliver 117.000 rifles as well as 10.767 under barrel grenade launchers,a contract valued at €168m.
The French version of the HK41615 will be known as HK416F. First rifles were delivered in 2017. By the end of the year 53.000 rifles would have been delivered to the French armed forces.
The rifles are delivered in two versions ;
-HK416F-C with an 11" barrel. (279mm) Lenght : 741 mm to 842mm with adjustable stock,empty weight of 3,450 kg.
-HK416F-S with a 14.5" barrel. (368mm) Lenght : 831mm to 931mm with adjustable stock,empty weight of 3,755 kg.
There are few differences between the HK416A5 and the HK416F but the main differences with the original version are ;
-Flip-up sights aren't integrated to the rail system,meaning they can be removed.
-A specialized bayonet lug.
-A cold hammered barrel and a barrel muzzle to attach and fire rifle grenades.
-No adjustable gas regulator. (Conventional forces do not need suppressors anyway)
-Soldiers receive the E1 buttstock instead of the slime line one. (More comfortable)
In 2018,the French MoD signed a contract for the delivery of up to 120.000 AIMPOINT COMPM5 red dot sights.
