Japan to import FN Herstal Minimi Mk3 machine guns and HK G28E sniper rifles.

The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced it is to start procuring two new types of small arms for the infantry units of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) in FY2023, Shinichi Kiyotani reports on European Security and Defence website. The new procurement includes the acquisition of Belgian FN Herstal MINIMI Mk3 light machine guns and German G28 sniper rifles. 
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FN Herstal Minimi Mk 3 light machine gun (Picture source: FN Herstal)

The Japanese MoD has selected the FN Herstal Minimi Mk3 squad support weapon, as the Minimi (B), to fill the shortfall in the procurement of the 5.56 mm Minimi Mk1 currently produced under licence by Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI) and will procure 514 such weapons for JPY 920 M over the next financial year, Shinichi Kiyotani reports. Additionally, anti-heat bags for spare barrels (to allow the weapon crew to reposition while carrying hot barrels), and dustproof carrier bags (which were not adopted for the Mk1), will be included in the purchase. An advantage in selecting the Mk3, industry sources noted, is that it shares the same barrel as the Minimi Mk1. With SHI withdrawing from machine gun production, the Minimi Mk3 is being procured directly from FN in Belgium.

Japan’s Ground Staff Office has announced it will procure 3,100 Minimi Mk3s, at a unit cost of approximately JPY 1.9 M (USD 14,316) each, and a life-cycle cost of approximately JPY 14.9 Bn (USD 112.2 M). This means the Ground Staff Office considers the Mk3 to be a complete replacement for the JGSDF’s Mk1s, Shinichi Kiyotani reports.

The G28 covers the range between an assault rifle and a sniper rifle. (Picture source: Heckler & Koch)

The Ground Staff Office will also procure 182 G28E2 7.62 mm semi-automatic rifles from Heckler & Koch (H&K) to replace the JGSDF’s current sniper rifle, the Remington M24A2 bolt-action rifle, at a cost of JPY 1.13 Bn in FY2023. The system includes optical sights, bipods and vertical grips. The Ground Staff Office has a total requirement for 900 G28E2s, to be procured at a unit cost of JPY 7 Bn (USD 52,744) each, and a life cycle cost of around JPY 9.3 Bn (USD 70 M).

As a classic DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) in calibre 7.62 mm x 51 NATO, the G28 guarantees a series-reproducible accuracy level of max. 1.5 MOA with 10 rounds of precision ammunition at 100 metres. The semi-automatic rifle is designed for an effective combat range of up to 800 metres. In a precise suppressive fire, the engagement distance is around 1000 metres. The G28, therefore, covers the range between an assault rifle and a sniper rifle. In addition, thanks to the extended barrel nut and the double handguard mount, the G28 DMR system offers a backlash-free and accurately fitting receiver connection to prevent zero shifting of tactical sighting accessories. Combined with the adjustable gas port, all the prerequisites for unrestricted night combat and silencing capability are given.

The G28 DMR system is designed to enable military and police user groups to operate with precision, in the most adverse conditions, against single targets or against technical targets such as surveillance cameras, light sources and the optics of onboard weapons on combat vehicles. In its basic configuration, the precision rifle is equipped with a telescopic sight with 3x to 20x magnification. The red-dot sight mounted on top serves as an aiming aid for faster target acquisition beyond 100 metres. For distances below the 100-metre limit, the red-dot sight can be used for close combat. Regardless of the use of special precision ammunition, the G28 ensures high ammunition compatibility with standardised NATO ammunition types.

The semi-automatic rifle is designed for an effective combat range of up to 800 metres (Picture source: Heckler & Koch)