small arms • Page 3 of 8

Oct- 2025 -

29 October

Arms

An Arctic soldier holding a SAKO rifle. Photo: SAKO

Inder Singh Bisht

Finnish Military Moves to NATO Calibers for Small Arms, Phases Out Soviet Ammunition

The Finnish Defence Forces has announced a transition to NATO-standard calibers for its future small arms.

Sep- 2025 -

11 September

Arms

The EVOLYS 5.56-millimeter ultralight machine gun

Rojoef Manuel

Belgium’s FN Herstal Exhibits EVOLYS Ultralight Machine Gun in UK

Belgian arms manufacturer FN Herstal has showcased its EVOLYS ultralight machine gun at a defense equipment convention in the UK.

2 September

Arms

Rojoef Manuel

Russia’s Kalashnikov Rolls Out Pilot Batch of AM-17 Compact Rifles

Russian arms developer Kalashnikov has produced the first batch of AM-17 compact assault rifles chambered in 5.45-millimeter ammunition, moving the weapon closer to full-scale production.

Aug- 2025 -

15 August

Middle East

A Paratrooper from the 173rd Airborne Brigade prepares his M4 Carbine with the SMASH 3000 during the Operation Shield 25, on April 10, 2025 in Kamenjak near Medulin , Pula, Croatia. This annual event bolsters Croatian air defense capabilities against low and medium-altitude threats. Joined by international partners, including and the Croatian Army, Slovenian Army, British Army and French Armed Forces, the exercise emphasizes air defense tactics and live-fire engagements. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Paolo Bovo)

Rojoef Manuel

Asia-Pacific User Buys Hundreds of SMARTSHOOTER SMASH 3000 Fire Control Systems

Israeli firm SMARTSHOOTER has won a large order for hundreds of its SMASH 3000 fire control systems from an Asia-Pacific customer.

8 August

Arms

Pictured: Soldiers from a rifle platoon, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, engaging targets outside the trenches during live firing tactic training (LFTT) to clear the position when training during on Exercise Steadfast Dart on the 10th of February 2025. Exercise STEADFAST DART (STDT25) is the principal NATO exercise for 2025 and the first large-scale deployment of the NATO Allied Reaction Force (ARF). The exercise tested and trained the operational deployment of the ARF to NATO Vigilance Area South-East, focusing on the planning and execution of a pre-crisis multi-domain activity that aimed to reinforce the Allied forces located in Romania and Bulgaria. Throughout January and February 2025, personnel and equipment from Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Türkiye and the United Kingdom have manoeuvred to NATO’s eastern flank via road, sea and air. This included over 17 naval assets, 20 aircraft, 1,500 military vehicles and 10,000 personnel – making it the largest NATO exercise of 2025. Exercise STEADFAST DART showed NATO’s commitment to making the Alliance stronger and better able to deter and, if necessary, defence against any potential adversary in any domain, and at any time.

Rojoef Manuel

BDT UK Showcases Next-Gen Beretta, Sako Rifles to Succeed British Military’s L85

BDT UK has unveiled the Beretta New Assault Rifle Platform and a Sako AR-15-style system as part of its bid to replace the British Armed Forces’ standard-issue assault rifle.

Jul- 2025 -

29 July

Americas

Candidates on the Canadian Ranger Basic Military Indoctrination conduct training with the C-19 Rifle in Shilo Manitoba on November 07 2024. Please credit; MCpl Parker Salustro Canadian Armed Forces Photo.

Rojoef Manuel

Canadian Rangers’ C19 Rifles Set for Stock Replacement Over Durability Issues

Canada’s Department of Defence is replacing the wooden stocks of the Canadian Rangers' C19 standard rifles in service since 2018.

24 July

Americas

Airman Mia Marquez, 802nd Security Forces Ssquadron installation access controller, fires an M18 handgun at paper targets while U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Justin Hains, 802nd Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned-officer-in-charge of training, observes the firing range while during sustainment firing training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, April 9, 2024. Students participate in this training to better understand the weapons systems while also completing drills that require different firing positions to maintain proficiency and develop their firearms skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Boisvert)

Rojoef Manuel

US Air Force Freezes M18 Pistol Use After Deadly Accident

The US Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is temporarily suspending use of the Sig Sauer M18 handgun after a fatality involving the weapon at Francie E. Warren AFB in Wyoming.

24 July

Americas

Christine Casimiro

US Army Seeks Successor to M240 Machine Gun

The US Army is seeking a potential replacement for its decades-old M240 medium machine gun, aiming for a weapon with improved lethality and capability.

15 July

Arms