Article Posted on : - Jan 24, 2011

7.62 machine guns. Photo: FN Herstal

PARIS (BNS): The French DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement) has selected the 7.62 mm MAG 58 machine gun manufactured by Belgium-based FN Herstal to replace its existing AN F1 machine guns.

The DGA confirmed this decision on December 15, 2010 as a result of an international competition.

The FN MAG machine guns will be mounted on vehicles in service with the French army. Transformation kits will be supplied as part of the contract to enable rapid conversion into dismounted weapons, according to a news release by FN Herstal.

The contract includes the manufacture and supply of more than 10,000 MAG machine guns (7.62x51mm NATO caliber) over a period of several years. The order is for $134.6 million.

An order for the first 500 units has already been placed by the DGA for delivery in 2011.