The first thing that we blurted out when we heard the news that the FN Minini MK3 is finally released was "MAKE THE AIRSOFT VERSION QUICK!" (yes, that's ALL CAPS and we removed the expletives for self censorship). The widely used light machine gun in many battlefields, real or airsoft, the FN Minimi, now gets its third version, the MK3, and configured to be readily adaptable to more battlefield conditions as based on user feedback.

At the ongoing Milipol Internal Security Exhibit in Paris, FN Herstal unveiled both the 5.56mm and 7.62mm versions of the latest generation of the Minimi series is designed to based on actual battlefield experiences from many users at various operational theaters around the world. And in recent years, the Minimi has been brought to bear in various firefights and battles, creating  a treasure trove of information for them to work on for the improvements in the MK3.

While at first glance, you won't see significant differences from the MK2, FN Herstal has provided a list of enhancements in the MK3 and an accompanying video in French:

The new FN MINIMI® Mk3 offers the users improved ergonomics and improved mobility while retaining the same core mechanism as the previous versions, for a limited impact on logistics.

Main changes are:

...an ergonomic buttstock adjustable in length (5 positions) to allow compensation for body armor and load bearing equipment. The buttstock is adjustable for cheek rest height as well. The user can have his eye correctly aligned with the iron sights, or optical sights, while keeping his cheek properly positioned on the buttstock. It also integrates a folding shoulder rest and a hydraulic buffer that stabilizes the rate of fire and reduces felt recoil,

...a new handguard/bipod assembly that provides a comfortable handguard and three forward MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny® accessory rails. The adjustable-height (3 positions) bipod, when folded back, integrates into the shape of the handguard even with an accessory on the lower rail,
an ergonomically-shaped cocking handle that gives the user a better grip with the strong or weak hand,

...an improved feed tray with belt retaining pawls that hold the belt correctly in position during the loading procedure, which is most useful when the user is in the standing position,

...an optional heatshield that greatly reduces the risk of inadvertently touching the barrel,

...the convertibility of the FN MINIMI® 7.62 to fire 5.56x45mm ammunition.

There are optional configurations for the MK3 such as the Heat Shield and the Conversion Kit from 7.62mm to 5.56mm. Armorers from FN Herstal are offering a program to their institutional clients to help them upgrade existing 5.62 and 7.62 Minimis partially or completely, allowing their own armorers to carry these upgrades themselves.

Airsofters who prefer carrying the Minimi in games may just wish that an upgrade kit or a completely new Minimi with blowback and simulated recoil to be released. In all honesty, not much has been developing in the M249 AEGs area and mainly are just rehash of already existing products from G&P, Classic Army, and even A&K. Either there is resistance from airsoft manufacturers to make one due to licensing issues or that there's not much effort to develop new airsoft technologies for  support weapons.

Nevertheless, old AEG with a new shell or not, an airsoft company that will release the MK3 in kit or complete form, would surely be loved by airsoft support gunners from all over.