So I was right when I speculated elsewhere that the Army might be making a big jump toward 7.62 Nato caliber, largely ditching the existing 5.56 Nato. I have mixed feelings about such a change.
However, now we can put the OFB 7.62 LMG development into perspective. This is an excerpt from a post I made on other forums -
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1)
It's also entirely possible that a decision has been taken to equip the entire RR with modern x51 rifles and dump the x39 Kalashnikovs for good. If this is how it is, it means the trials for x39 rifles are only for CAPFs.
2) Yet another possibility is that at least a select few units of the regular infantry will be
receiving a mix of 5.56x45 (INSAS-1B1 now, MCIWS in future) and 7.62x51 (whichever is selected now) Nato caliber assault rifles. This would create an obvious ammo division which could have been avoided...but then we also need to look at
OFB's development of 7.62x51 LMG (provided that report is correct).
If the 2nd possibility is realized,
it could mean the infantry is making a big jump toward the x51 NATO round. Which would be shared by at least 1 type of AR, LMG & DMR. 5.56 will be in use, but in much reduced numbers than now.
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I'm all in for maximum commonality in ammo...but even in any modern infantry unit, there are at least two types of ammo in use. One is widely used, the other in limited numbers. Such as in Western militaries where 5.56 in standard for assault rifles, carbines, & LMGs and only Marksmen use the 7.62 rounds. (Also GPMGs, but they are less common).
In our case, it appears 7.62 will be the main caliber and 5.56 could be secondary.
The FAL action is what is important, rest all about it can change. Often, getting the action right & reliable is a problem and the FAL is a tried-and-tested design, plus, many of our existing personnel & factories are largely familiar with the SLR.
A proper modernization would mean making the receiver & action out of lighter materials, and adding all that you mentioned above. Such as a quadrail handguard (free-floating barrel is fine), new grips, adjustable stocks, and a dust cover with P-rail. A weapon like that would be nothing to scoff at. In trained hands, it could send many modern rifles packing.
I understand an all-new 7.62x51 rifle based out of MCIWS family will be great to have...but I have little faith in OFB's ability to deliver anything on time and as per spec. I don't mean to diss them, but honestly, the lesser you expect from them, the less disappointed you will be.