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The British Army's SA80 A2 Rifle To Finally Get The A3 Uprade

Gungho Cowboy

With the L85A3 now rolling out as the new assault rifle of the British Army, the U.K. Ministry of Defense also announced last 11 April 2018 in a news release that they will also start upgrading the existing SA80 A2 Rifle to the A3 Model to ensure that all servicemen will be operating on the same model and the enhancements will make it remain in service until 2025 and beyond.

The SA80 A2/L85A2 has seen much action ever since it the upgrade was done from A1 in 1998, having been used in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. The upgrade to the A3 model is to be done by Heckler & Koch again which made the A2 upgrade after the A1 performed poorly in First Gulf War, gaining bad reputation from the British soldiers. The A2 had many redesigns, achieving better reliability rates, though the reliability was lower in hot environments. Still the A2 was prone to jamming.

The A3 upgrade has the following features: a) the upper receiver is modified; b) full length rail system; c) better coating with a “flat dark earth” colour scheme; d) streamlined foregrip; e) 100 grams lighter than  the A2; and f) bracket for low light sight that are smaller, lighter and require fewer batteries. The upgrade from the A2 model will cost £5.4 million and will initially be done with 5,000 weapons with intent to upgrade more in the future.

In the same MOD news release, Defence Minister Guto Bebb said, “This multi-million-pound upgrade will give our Army a lighter, more hardwearing, better-camouflaged combat rifle so our soldiers can perform on the frontline of some of the most dangerous locations across the world. This investment is also a boost to Nottingham’s highly-skilled gun-makers who proudly support our troops in their task to protect our country in the face of intensifying threats.”

Director Land Equipment at the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, Major General Colin McClean also said, “The SA80 is a battle proven weapon used by the UK Armed Forces on operations all over the world. The upgrade will build upon the rifle’s state-of-the-art features enhancing accuracy and consistency. The Mid Life Improvement project will ensure that our troops have the right equipment at the right time.”

The latest reincarnation of the SA80 in the A3 will ensure it will be the primary weapon of the British Army for many years to come. From a lackluster beginning, the bullpup rifle is now one of the more recognizable rifles worldwide.

 

Top photo: British Army soldier with L85A3 (Source: UK MOD)

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