According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, the Lithuanian Armed Forces will replenish their stocks with FN Herstal MINIMI 7.62 Mk3 machine guns and and Carl-Gustaf M4 ammunition: the Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence carries out the acquisition of vital weaponry and ammunition in pursuit of strengthened Lithuanian defence capabilities and investment in Lithuanian Armed Forces stocks, the latest acquisition being a new batch of munitions for the Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifle and FN MINIMI 7.62 light machine guns.
The Lithuanian Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence signed an FN MINIMI 7.62 acquisition contract with Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal, S.A., last month. The contract encompasses 7.62×51 mm FN Minimi MK 3 light machine guns with spare barrels, cleaning kits, belt and sling bags for approx. EUR 34 million.
The FN MINIMI 7.62 light machine gun is a lighter and more advanced model than the KSP-58, FN MAG, and MG3 currently in use in the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The acquisition will and mobility and effectiveness to Land Force personnel. Moreover, the machine gun is operated by one servicemember as opposed to the two required by the dated KSP-58s. The MINIMI 7.62 system has optical attachments available to maximize fire accuracy and effectiveness even during the dark part of the day.