So this is how I see the NSG's weapons complex shaping up. About 90% of this are things that are already happening/have happened. Remaining 10% are either plausible avenues of approach, or purely my preferences.
I'm only going over the weapons & variants of said weapons that are/ought to be in large scale issue with a counter-terrorism requirement in mind so will not bother about items used in small numbers, or in special use-cases for VIP protection, or those used only for non-operational weapon familiarization purposes.
The go-to sidearm issued to all NSG personnel including SAG and SRG operatives continues to be the ubiquitous
third-generation Glock 19 in 9x19mm. There isn't any pressing need to replace this so in all likelihood it will continue to serve for the next decade.
Though I would prefer for the organization to allow for more individual preference in the sidearm department. As the drawing of the sidearm is indicative of either something haven gone wrong with the shooter's primary weapon system, or otherwise in a situation requiring quick transition to the sidearm like running out of ammo on the primary -
user comfort is a key aspect in speed of carrying out this transition and while highly regarded, not every shooter would prefer a Glock if given the choice.
The Franchi SPAS-15 remains the only 12-gauge auto-shotgun used very routinely by NSG personnel as of today in a variety of roles ranging from occasional CQC to door-breaching, but primarily the latter.
I would prefer for this rather bulky, heavy weapon to be supplanted by something along the lines of the Benelli M4 tactical auto-loading shotgun. The M4 (also known by it's US military name M1014)
is a sleeker, lighter, more modern 12ga weapon that should significantly enhance the utility of this class of gun thanks to adjustable stock length, Picatinny rail interface, more choice for muzzle attachments, and the adoration of many like-minded CT units across the world today.
The usage of sub machine guns of the MP-5 family in the 9x19 calibre remains pre-eminent among NSG operators in Hostage Intervention Teams (HITs) and far beyond. While
I would prefer for a sea-change toward short barrel carbines in 5.56x45mm using a variety of ammunition loads (steel core FMJ, JHP, Subsonic, etc) that can both reduce penetration power in Hostage situations while maintaining a higher degree of effectiveness against aggressive hostiles with body armour, it doesn't appear the NSG has any intention toward the same. In the meantime I believe they are well served by their choice of adopting
the
SIG Sauer MPX carbine. It's my belief and hope that multiple variants & configurations of the MPX should fully replace ALL existing MP-5s including the widely used MP-5A5, suppressed MP-5SD and short MP-5K. The SIG MPX offers variants that can supplant all of these weapons in their respective roles.
The greater utility with regard to customization & the simpler operation of loading/reloading provide an overall improvement in usability over the MP-5 in most uses cases.
The MPX was trialed alongside another American-made SMG, the KRISS Vector by the NSG and going by the prevalence of MPX and the relative absence of Vector in image streams over the last year seem to indicate the NSG has found their favourite among the two.
While I would very much prefer an AR-15 derivative rifle carbine to be the replacement for NSG's existing stocks of SIG/Swiss Arms SG-552/553 assault rifles in 5.56x45mm, the primary rifle for their assaulters, I have to say the NSG does not seem to be moving toward that at all.
There does appear to be however a marked interest in the FN SCAR-L (aka Mk.16) rifle. Which, while not as much as a piston-driven AR-15,
still provides a degree of user-customizability and ease of operation that's simply not possible with the existing SG-552/553 family. And objectively I would still prefer a SCAR over a bullpup platform like X-95 for NSG. Not much visible progress on this front though, compared to MPX. The SCAR-L much like the Swiss rifle's LB/SB variants, comes in various barrel lengths to accommodate all requirements. A 14" standard barrel and a 10" CQC barrel, along with an 18" long barrel cover most needs.
In times past (including 26/11 days) the NSG used the SG-550's Sniper variant (aka 550-1) as a marksman/sniper support platform. The 550-1 was basically an accurized 550 with a longer barrel and provision for a bipod & telescopic sight.
The rifle, while a quality platform in its own right, suffered from typical 5.56 limitations over long(er) ranges with regards to penetration, accuracy & stopping power drop-off over a larger distance. Recently NSG has adopted the
SIG 716G2 DMR platform, a modern AR-10 based short-stroke piston design in the more powerful 7.62x51mm calibre. A huge improvement in terms of both utility & firepower in a marksmanship role. The 716G2 should fully replace the 550-1, whose usage has already dropped off significantly in recent times. The 716G2 ought to bring to the NSG the ability to lay down accurate fire over long ranges,
without compromising on the stopping power OR the ability to send quick follow-up shots. Earlier it was either one or the other.
While a sniper weapon system in the more manageable 7.62x51 calibre like the PSG-1 (some upgraded to PSG-1A1 by NSG) or a modern analogue of it would probably be more suitable for the needs of what is primarily an urban-centered intervention force,
the fairly recent adoption of a bolt-action .338 Lapua Magnum platform like the Barrett Model 98B seems to indicate an intention on the part of NSG to pursue a more serious long-range sniper capability where it is needed. No wonder then that this is the more interesting (to me at least) category when talking sniping systems. The 98B (and in future batches its successor the
MRAD which I believe has replaced the former in Barrett's catalogue) is likely to play an increasingly important role among NSG's snipers. It's a brilliant platform that offers all the comforts & options a modern-day sniper could ask for.
While rarely seen and perhaps even rarely used, the NSG does maintain an arsenal of machine guns capable of sustained, suppressive fire on targets. One of those used currently is the
IWI Negev NG-5, a squad automatic weapon in 5.56x45. Though I don't think what they use is the NG-5 SF variant with the shorter barrel and perhaps more useful in NSG's case. A great platform, now with the potential for local manufacturing thanks to PLRS, that offers some unique traits like the inclusion of a semi-auto mode of fire make it a weapon that doesn't require much change in the foreseeable future.
An even more rarely used platform is the FN Minimi 7.62TR in 7.62x51mm...while broadly similar, I'd say NSG might be better served by buying into the
Mk.48 Mod 1 version of this platform - which is incidentally also being adopted by the Army's Para SF battalions. If not the more recent
Minimi 7.62 Mk.3, further enhancing customizability.
Members are welcome to add, criticize or otherwise comment.