1,600 FN MINIMI 5.56mm Light Machine Guns delivered into operational service with Slovak Armed Forces

The Slovak Armed Forces have taken delivery of nearly 1,600 FN MINIMI 5.56mm Light Machine Guns (LMG) along with accessories and spare parts, enabling them to replace the UGL vz. 59 (Universal LMG Model 1959), mostly in service with the Slovak Army's manoeuvre units.

As well as providing the direct fire support capability to enable close combat troops at the section level to engage the enemy, the FN MINIMI LMG, chambered in 5.56x45mm calibre, marks a shift to a unified NATO calibre. This will ensure an increased level of interoperability where Slovak units are operating side by side with NATO partner forces.

The contract worth over €1.7m for nearly 1,600 FN MINIMI 5.56mm Light Machine Guns for the Slovak Armed Forces was awarded through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said. “Not only is this the most transparent form of procurement, but – knowing that the delivery of the LMGs was originally scheduled for 2023 at the earliest – it is also a very effective way of procuring goods and services time-wise,” he added, noting that the MOD continues to prepare and implement a range of modernisation programmes for the Slovak military.

After being accepted into service with the Slovak Armed Forces, the supplied LMGs will be distributed to military units in the months to come, so that close combat troops can go ahead with conversion training and get properly trained on the use and operation of the LMGs as soon as possible.