U.K. Seeks New Lightweight Assault Machine Gun for Dismounted Troops

The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a procurement competition for a new lightweight assault machine gun, aiming to equip dismounted troops with a lighter alternative to the Minimi Light Machine Gun (LMG).

The tender, released under "Project Troubler," specifies the need for a 5.56mm machine gun weighing less than 7.1kg. The contract is valued at up to £4 million, with proposals due by March 24, 2025, and a planned start date of June 1, 2026.

Recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, have emphasized the advantages of lighter infantry weapons. Reducing the weight of firearms and combat gear enhances mobility and endurance for dismounted troops.

The MoD phased out the L110 A2 Minimi in 2018, citing concerns over its 7.2kg weight. FN Herstal’s latest Minimi Mk3, at around 8kg, does not meet the tender’s criteria. However, the Belgian manufacturer’s new FN Evolys Ultralight Machine Gun, which weighs approximately 5.5kg in its 5.56mm variant, has been suggested as a potential replacement by some experts, as per Forces News.

The British Army has previously debated the role of light machine guns at the section level. The L86A2 Light Support Weapon, phased out in favor of the Minimi, offered greater accuracy but was front-heavy. The U.S. military made a similar transition in 2010, replacing its M249 SAW—another Minimi variant—with the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle.