Royal Marines switch to L119A2?

[cbreedon]

Hi I am looking at the RM in 2015-2017 and notice that they are using the 119A2 rather than the SA80. I know in games terms it doesn't mean a whole lot but just curious if they actually switched weapon systems?

[DRG]

In the 2015-2017 time period, there are six ( 6 ) UC 162 ( RM Ski Section ) armed with SA80 ....there is one ( 1) RM Ski Scout (UC 168) unit armed with the 119A2......

[cbreedon]

It looks like the Ski Marines do have the SA80 but the regular marines have the L119A2 (units 83, 342, 709, 738 & 84, 347, 710)

[DRG]

Correct. the info we were given indicated the Sa80 was not the standard BR for the elite units

[cbreedon]

Interesting, I had a look around and it does look like 43 Commando (Fleet Protection Group) did change last year. Nothing about the regular Commandos (40, 42 & 45)though but ehy it's the internet :-)

http://www.eliteukforces.info/uk-military-news/04032016-43-commando-l119.php

Either way, cheers. Love your work.

[Suhiir]

And on the subject of new service rifles ...
Leave it to the US Marines to be creative. It seems they're testing the concept of arming grunts with the M27 as a replacement for the M4.
https://kitup.military.com/2017/02/marines-iar-infantry-service-rifle.html
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/11/18/marine-corps-experimenting-new-service-rifle.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25947/marines-replace-m4-rifle/

That's right, everyone gets what's currently acting as the SAW in the USMC.

And, just to continue the trend ... a replacement for the venerable Ma Duce?
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/10271/u-s-special-operators-and-marines-want-a-new-long-range-machine-gun

From the sounds of this they might go as far as replacing the M240 MMG as well. A lightweight HMG at the company/platoon level???