Belgian Defense to buy 243 FN M2 heavy machine guns.

The Council of Ministers approved on Friday, July 3 the launch of a public contract for the acquisition of 243 heavy machine guns, the second purchase of its kind in a year, the Belgian government announced on Saturday, without specifying the amount of this contract.
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FN M2 heavy machine gun mounted on a Jacam of the Belgian Special Forces Group (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This contract will be concluded via a negotiated procedure without advertising, on a proposal from the Minister of Defense Philippe Goffin, the government said in a press release, which implies that it will be awarded to FN Herstal, a traditional Belgian defense supplier for this kind of weaponry. "As part of the 2030 strategic vision, Defense continues to use the .50 machine-gun as a dismounted infantry machine gun as well as onboard vehicles and ships. The current .50 M2 dates from the period immediately after the Second World War and repairs have become difficult and costly", the government said.

Last April, the Defense Ministry had already been authorized to acquire 159 M3M Heavy Machine Guns (.50, or 12.7mm) manufactured by FN Herstal to equip the new Light Troop Transport Vehicle (LTTV) built by the English company Jankel on Mercedes Unimog chassis with which the Belgian army Special Forces and para-commando units will be equipped.

The Jankel LTTV will equip the Belgian Special Forces and Paracommando units (Picture source: Army Recognition)