FN Herstal Reveals Next-Gen Law Enforcement and Police Security Solutions at Milipol Paris 2025.

Belgian Company FN Herstal used Milipol Paris 2025 to debut an expanded lineup of law enforcement weapons and advanced security tools for modern policing. The showcase highlights how European manufacturers are adapting to growing urban security pressures and global counter-threat demands.

Belgian Company FN Herstal introduced a broad mix of lethal and non-lethal systems during this year's Milipol Paris exhibition, presenting what company representatives described as a more integrated approach to police and security missions. The Belgian manufacturer highlighted precision-focused firearms, updated SWAT-oriented platforms, and emerging counter-drone technologies, positioning the portfolio as a response to law enforcement agencies facing increasingly complex urban threats.
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Belgian Company FN Herstal showcases its full range of advanced law enforcement weapons and security solutions during Milipol Paris 2025, addressing the evolving challenges of urban policing and counter-threat operations. (Picture source/copyright: Army Recognition Group)

One of the headline innovations at FN Herstal’s booth was the FN SMART PROTECTOR® 303T, a next-generation iteration of the company’s FN 303® TACTICAL less-lethal launcher. This smart upgrade integrates an image-processing camera that detects human heads in real time, enhancing officers' situational awareness while ensuring ethical targeting in high-stress operations. By leveraging this onboard artificial intelligence, law enforcement personnel can more accurately deliver non-lethal shots to safe areas of the body, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing legal compliance during riot control and crowd dispersal missions. The 303T marks a notable shift in use-of-force technology, offering a tool that merges tactical utility with built-in accountability.

The FN 303 less-lethal launcher itself continues to serve as a globally trusted platform for non-lethal engagements. Using compressed air to fire fin-stabilized projectiles, the system delivers a range of payloads, including irritant and marking rounds, as well as kinetic impact munitions, tailored to subdue hostile individuals without resorting to deadly force. Designed with both accuracy and safety in mind, the FN 303 enables rapid deployment during urban disturbances, protest management, or high-risk apprehensions. With its consistent operational performance, it remains a cornerstone of law enforcement arsenals worldwide, offering controlled escalation and reducing reliance on lethal firearms.

In the realm of tactical small arms, FN Herstal introduced the FN SCAR SCV, a compact variant of its widely fielded SCAR rifle family. Specifically engineered for SWAT teams and police tactical units, the SCV is optimized for close-quarter engagements in dense urban environments. Its shortened barrel, reduced weight, and modular architecture provide superior maneuverability without sacrificing firepower or reliability. The SCAR SCV is built for high-threat, rapid-response missions where split-second decisions and confined-space movement are critical, offering a combat-tested solution tailored to law enforcement realities.

Turning attention to counter-drone threats, FN Herstal revealed the SX4, a purpose-designed anti-drone shotgun aimed at frontline security forces. As drones increasingly pose challenges to public safety and infrastructure protection, the SX4 provides law enforcement with an agile, effective kinetic response option. Using specialized ammunition enables operators to neutralize unmanned aerial systems quickly and at close range, particularly when electronic jamming or soft-kill methods are not viable. The SX4’s intuitive design and direct-fire capability make it a valuable addition to urban counter-UAS toolkits.

Expanding beyond handheld systems, FN Herstal also showcased the FN DEFENDER, a medium remotely operated weapon station tailored for both mobile and static security applications. Mounted on vehicles or infrastructure, the DEFNDER can be configured to counter drone threats using either traditional armaments or non-lethal payloads, depending on mission requirements. Its stabilized turret, precision targeting, and modular integration enable continuous surveillance and fast-reactive engagement, making it a key asset for critical site protection and mobile law enforcement deployments. The DEFENDER represents FN Herstal’s continued push into integrated security systems, bridging manned and remote-operated capabilities.

Strategically, FN Herstal is also deepening its industrial footprint with the recent acquisition of SOFISPORT, a Paris-based global leader in the production of small-arms ammunition and components. This move strengthens the company’s position in the European munitions sector and ensures secure supply chains for military and law enforcement customers. It also aligns with broader defense-industrial trends emphasizing sovereign production and supply resilience, particularly amid rising ammunition demand across NATO member states. With this acquisition, FN Herstal can now offer end-to-end delivery of small arms solutions, from launchers and rifles to ammunition and smart targeting systems.

FN Herstal’s presence at Milipol Paris 2025 underlined the company’s commitment to integrating smart technology, expanding manufacturing reach, and addressing the practical and ethical challenges of contemporary law enforcement.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.