L129A1 Sharpshooter rifle
The new Sharpshooter rifle will improve the long-range firepower available on the front line.
It fires a 7.62mm round and will enhance accuracy of engagement during longer-range firefights. This weapon will be used by some of the best shots in the Infantry.
More than 400 of the semi-automatic Sharpshooter rifles have been bought as a £1.5M Urgent Operational Requirement. It is the first new Infantry combat rifle to be issued to troops for more than 20 years.
The Sharpshooter complements the already potent range of weapons used by our forces in Afghanistan.
Training on the rifles begins this month (Jan) and the first batch will be sent to Afghanistan later in the year.