Exclusive: BFBS granted first look at contenders to replace British Army's SA80 assault rifle
Lighter, fully ambidextrous and not bullpups: meet the BDT UK rifles vying to replace the SA80 as the Armed Forces' weapon of choice.
BDT is one of several companies trying to convince MOD officials that theirs is the perfect choice to replace the SA80 L85, the primary weapon system for the vast majority of UK service personnel.
I was granted exclusive access to try out two possible contenders, the Beretta NARP (New Assault Rifle Platform) and the Sako AR-15-style rifle.
Search for SA-80's successor underway
A procurement initiative known as Project Grayburn is currently in the concept phase, where the Army's capability requirements are being identified and understood in depth.
The SA80 L85A3 will remain the UK's primary weapon system throughout the delivery of the project, which is expected to be paced in batches over the course of the next decade.
This means personnel will still have to wait many years before they get their hands on whichever rifle and optics are finally chosen.
When the MOD is officially ready to place an order, BFBS Forces News understands it will be for around 172,000 rifles.
BDT UK is one of the manufacturers vying for the contract. It's offering two rifle options to the MOD: the Beretta NARP (New Assault Rifle Platform) and the Sako AR-15-style rifle, with optics from Steiner.
The new weapons explained
Marco Olimpio, the international area manager at Beretta, said the main difference between the SA80 L85 and the Beretta NARP is in the layout of the controls.
"[SA80] is in a bullpup configuration, so it has the magazine behind the trigger, while this one follows the AR-15 controls," he explained.
"This is a trend now that armed forces all over Europe and North America have been following – to have this common configuration of controls.... it's easier to integrate weapons and to have that sort of familiar feel and command of the weapon."
The Beretta NARP has been developed over five years in collaboration with the Italian armed forces.
"Both weapons are in service with Nato countries," BDT UK military group manager Jack Cadman told BFBS Forces News. "Essentially, we are using the lessons of working with those customers to put forward our best offering to the UK."
Sako defence sales manager Cameron Blair said the Finnish offering also follows the AR-15 configuration.
"Sako have been looking at this design over the last 10 years," he said. "[They've] been looking at how it can operate in Arctic conditions, in extreme environments... the long service life and the integrated logistics support so that we keep this platform running for an extended time, and also so that we can upgrade it when new technology comes along."
Both weapons are fully ambidextrous, so there are no issues if you want to shoot left-handed. They are also both lighter than the SA80 L85. Depending on the configuration, they are around 3kg.
Aaron Oertel, the head of Steiner Optics' military division, also showed us the M8Xi dual focal plane 1-8x rifle scope.
"It has a length of around 260mm, weighs less than 700g-650g in total. We have specifically made a solution where we combine two focal planes, which is a very important feature of this rifle scope optic, because... in the second focal plane you have an illuminated red dot in the horseshoe [the close-quarters reticle]."
Reticles can also be tailor-made depending on the user's requirements.
One of the things BDT UK is hoping will win over the MOD is its plan to manufacture in the UK and create a "small arms hub" in Lincolnshire where it currently leases a facility.
It says it has an agreement in place with the landowner to expand if it wins the bid and is hoping that a sovereign capability will entice the MOD and get BDT UK over the line.
The firing experience
With all the technical details briefed, it was time to get down to the most important part – what it's actually like to fire these two guns.
I've never fired a gun before, so I'm chuffed that my first go was trialling these two top-of-the-line contenders.
They certainly feel a lot lighter than the SA80, and I immediately noticed the ease of holding them, although I am a southpaw.
Knowing I was holding a live weapon was quite a feeling – my body reacted by heating right up. I was sweating, and my safety glasses kept steaming up!
I also tried firing the Beretta NARP from a seated position.
It was a really smooth experience – the optics made it especially easy. I enjoyed firing both, and I'm curious about how the other contenders compare.
There are many companies working on their pitches to the MOD right now, so watch this space – I'll bring you all the latest when we get to try the rest!
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