Irish Army seeks new designated marksman rifle
The purchase is being considered for replacement of the Irish Army's FN FAL 7.62mm sniper support rifles
Eyal Boguslavsky
| 07/02/2021
Photo: Irish Defence Forces
The Firearm Blog website reported that the Irish Army issued a tender notice in mid-January for a new 7.62x51mm "Designated Marksman and Sniper Support" weapon to replace the FN FAL currently in service.
The Irish Army says that it considering the purchase of a single type of rifle to meet the operational requirements for Designated Marksman and Sniper Support to replace the FN FAL 7.62mm sniper support rifle. The DMR/SSR will be expected to remain in service for the next 15 to 20 years and have a proven maintenance and support capability. In the designated marksman role, the rifle will be deployed by Infantry and Cavalry Units down to Section level. In the sniper support role, the rifle will be supplied to pairs of snipers who use the Accuracy International .308 AW and .338 SM rifles, according to the report.
The Irish Army land element currently stands at around 7,500 strong, with the Steyr AUG the standard issue service rifle since 1989. The FN FAL entered Irish service in the 1960s to supplement the British Lee-Enfield Rifle No.4 and has since been pressed into the designated marksman role. The Heckler & Koch HK417 is already in limited service with the Irish Army Ranger Wing, the website said.
The purchase is being considered for replacement of the Irish Army's FN FAL 7.62mm sniper support rifles
Photo: Irish Defence Forces
The Firearm Blog website reported that the Irish Army issued a tender notice in mid-January for a new 7.62x51mm "Designated Marksman and Sniper Support" weapon to replace the FN FAL currently in service.
The Irish Army says that it considering the purchase of a single type of rifle to meet the operational requirements for Designated Marksman and Sniper Support to replace the FN FAL 7.62mm sniper support rifle. The DMR/SSR will be expected to remain in service for the next 15 to 20 years and have a proven maintenance and support capability. In the designated marksman role, the rifle will be deployed by Infantry and Cavalry Units down to Section level. In the sniper support role, the rifle will be supplied to pairs of snipers who use the Accuracy International .308 AW and .338 SM rifles, according to the report.
The Irish Army land element currently stands at around 7,500 strong, with the Steyr AUG the standard issue service rifle since 1989. The FN FAL entered Irish service in the 1960s to supplement the British Lee-Enfield Rifle No.4 and has since been pressed into the designated marksman role. The Heckler & Koch HK417 is already in limited service with the Irish Army Ranger Wing, the website said.
