The Belgian firm FN Browning has announced its acquisition of the historical, iconic british maker of sniper rifles, Accuracy International. Founded in 1978, Accuracy International is a leading firm in the field of sniper rifles, bolt action precision rifles and extreme long range weapon systems for military, law enforcement and sport shooters alike.

For FN, the acquisition of this Company represents a strategic addition that complements FN’s catalogue of defence and security solutions. FN assures that Accuracy International will continue to operate under its own brand, specific culture and out of its already established bases in the UK and in the US.

In a specific UK optic, the acquisition reinforces FN Browning’s position as the closest thing to a “national” small arms producer. FN UK, the subsidiary to the main Belgian firm, is the only truly well established military small arms producer left in the UK thanks in particular to its machineguns-specialized production facility in Southeast London, acquired from the then Manroy Engineering back in 2014.

FN UK has openly stated that it is aiming for official recognition from the MoD and government of its status as an onshore strategic capability, being the only firm actively producing small arms weapons in the UK. The UK facility, which is due to be relocated and completely renewed, fully produces 7.62 and 12.7 mm machineguns while also ensuring partial production (components) for other weapon types and assembly of rifles and pistols.

FN UK has its eyes set on a number of UK MoD upcoming projects, beginning obviously with GRAYBURN, the replacement of the SA-80 assault rifle family. It is also taking aim at the much smaller but still relevant projects TROUBLER and SHAMER. TROUBLER aims to procure new machineguns over the coming years: it initially began as a procurement effort for new lightweight, “assault”, 5.56 mm machineguns, but it is understood to have recently absorbed also project CAIRNS, the eventual replacement for the L7 GPMG in 7.62 mm, tentatively programmed for 2035. It has been reported that now the two requirements (Light & Heavy) both fall under TROUBLER.

SHAMER is a project that FN UK will now clearly try to pursue through Accuracy International as it involves the procurement of new, bolt action, multi-calibre sniper rifles to replace existing L115 and L118s.

SHAMER wants a single rifle system able to able the .338 Lapua Magnum, 7.62x51 NATO and .300 Norma Magnum caliber options.

For TROUBLER Light, FN has been pushing for some time its EVOLYS assault machinegun, while for Heavy / CAIRNS it has been positioning by signing an agreement with the American firm True Velocity to bring to the UK the production of their .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG).

FN has not communicated the value of the acquisition and the agreement remains subject to regulatory approval but no show-stoppers appear to be anticipated. Colonel Will Waugh, head of the British Army’s close combat procurement team, has seemingly blessed the union with a comment included in FN’s press release that notes: “the MoD has a long history of working with both FN and Accuracy International with some of our most important small arms capabilities being procured from both companies. The joining of these companies is great news for the MoD and gives us continued access to cutting edge capabilities”.

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