"New" Fn Fal being tested by the Argentine Army

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Markost

FM (the factory that produced them) made a Fal prototype in 5,56 in the 80´s, but it wasn´t produced. Anyway, there´s a few M4 , M16, Fara 83 and Steyr Aug in service, but they think this cardtrige is "too weak".

Hmmmm, I'm a little surprised then. But I mean, they do appreciate that the logic behind 5.56x45 is mostly wounding, not killing, right?

Originally Posted by Markost

And about the brazilian Fal´s, check their new project (MD97 A2 in 5,56):

Yeah, I saw that one. Dunno if Brazil's ever gonna have the money to standardize it, though. Even with the enormous modernization program which they began last year (for all branches of their armed forces), I think small arms are still going to be a low priority. They're basically trying to do the whole thing on a shoestring budget (by our standards).

My recollection is that a lot of the defense budget is going towards the new fighter program, as well as the new submarines. Both of which are extremely important if Brazil ever wants to be able to compete with Venezuela for regional military hegemony.