FN Minimi - Users

Users

The Minimi has been adopted by over 45 countries. Users include:

  • Afghanistan: Afghan National Army uses the M249 light machine gun supplied by the United States.
  • Australia: Designated F89 in Australian service. It is manufactured by Thales Australia. The longer flash suppressor of the FN MAG is used to enhance accuracy. The 7.62 mm model known as Maximi, is also in limited service.
  • Belgium: Standard infantry support weapon of the Belgian Army. Uses both the standard (called the Minimi M2) and Para (Minimi M3) models.
  • Brazil: Used by the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro, as well as the Marine corps and special forces of the Brazilian Army.
  • Canada: The Canadian Forces C9 is a standard factory Minimi with a steel tubular stock. The C9A1 comes fitted with a Picatinny rail on the feed cover mounting a 3.4x ELCAN C79 telescopic sight and can mount a vertical grip on the underside of the stock for added stability in prone firing. The C9A2 mid-life upgrade introduced a shorter barrel, green furniture, cloth ammo boxes (replacing the plastic boxes), a C8-style collapsible stock, folding vertical foregrip and a laser aiming module (LAM). Two C9s are carried by each infantry section.
  • Denmark: Used by the Jægerkorps.
  • East Timor: Timor Leste Defence Force
  • Egypt: Produced locally under license.
  • France: The Para version is widely used by the French Army. Replaced the AAT-F1 GPMG.
  • Greece: Manufactured under license by EAS, used by the Hellenic Army and special forces. First 10 examples delivered in 1999.
  • Hungary: M249 SAW is used by the Hungarian Special Force.
  • Indonesia Standard light machine gun of Indonesian Armed Forces. Made under license by Pindad.
  • Ireland: In use with the specialist Irish Army Ranger Wing.
  • Italy: The Minimi is made under license by Beretta, which has a partnership with FN, and is employed by the Italian Armed Forces, replacing the MG 42/59 (a variant of the WWII MG 42, which still sees widespread mounted use) in the squad automatic weapon role. The Minimi is being widely employed by Italian forces in all the most recent and current international theaters of operation.
  • Japan: Partially replaced the NTK-62 with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. It is manufactured under license by Sumitomo Heavy Industries.
  • Latvia: Standard light machine gun in Latvian inventory.
  • Luxembourg: The Para variant is used by the Unité Spéciale de la Police intervention unit of the Grand Ducal Police.
  • Malaysia: The Malaysian Army replaced the HK11A1 machine gun with the Minimi. Also used by police special force units.
  • Mexico: Mexican Army and Mexican Navy marines utilize the Minimi in the squad automatic weapon and vehicle mounted role along with the Federal Police and various state police forces.
  • Morocco
  • Nepal: Purchased 5,500 units in 2002.
  • Netherlands: The Royal Netherlands Army has brought in the Para version of the Minimi to replace the FN MAG in some infantry roles. The MAG is still being used as a general-purpose machine gun, support fire weapon and as a vehicle-mounted weapon.
  • New Zealand: The New Zealand Defence Force uses the Minimi under the designation C9 Minimi. This gun has been used as the Army's Light Support Weapon (LSW) since 1988. The 7.62 Minimi TR in Feb 2012 was selected to replace the C9 LSW Minimi and will be known as the 7.62 LSW Minimi in NZDF service. The C9 Minimi is also use by RNZAF Force Protection and Royal New Zealand Navy boarding teams.
  • Norway: In use with HJK/FSK, KJK, and MJK since late 1980s, since 2011 in use with armed forces of Norway (1,900 machine guns were purchased in 2011).
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea: Designated F89.
  • Peru: Used by the Infantería de Marina del Perú (Peruvian Naval Infantry).
  • Philippines: In use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Purchased the FN Minimi in May 2002.
  • Poland: GROM special forces, JW Komandosów (7.62 mm), JW Formoza.
  • Serbia: Used by the Special Brigade.
  • Slovenia: Minimi Para used by the Military of Slovenia.
  • Spain: The Spanish Navy acquired Minimi light machine guns in the 5.56x45mm Para and 7.62 NATO versions.
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sweden: Known as the Ksp 90 (Kulspruta 90). Para model designated Ksp 90B; both are made by Bofors Carl Gustaf.
  • Switzerland: Designated LMg 05 (Leichtes Maschinengewehr 05) or FM 05 (Fusil mitrailleur 05).
  • Republic of China: Designated T75.
  • Thailand
  • Turkey: Used by Turkish special forces.
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom: Uses standard and Para variants, designated L108A1 and the L110A1 respectively. The Army equips each four-man fireteam with the Para variant. The LMG is usually fitted with the 4x SUSAT standard issue rifle sight. It is also used by the Royal Navy, Royal Marines Commandos and the RAF Regiment. Additionally, small numbers of 7.62 Minimis are in service.
  • United States: United States Armed Forces as the M249 light machine gun.

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