It is nice to report some good news for FN Herstal after their run of bad luck. The FN MINIMI won the competition to select a new light machine gun for the Norwegian Armed Forces. Norway will be purchasing 1,900 MINIMI guns.

FN Minimi 5.56 (Para-TR model)

From the press release …

Belgium-based FN Herstal is pleased to announce that the FN MINIMI™ 5.56 has been selected as the new light machine gun for the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (NDLO) confirmed their decision last November, putting an end to a yearlong competition.

The contract includes the manufacture and delivery of 1,900 MINIMI™ 5.56 machine guns together with spare parts and accessories up to the end of 2012. The contract also includes optional quantities and additional services to be provided by FN Herstal to the NDLO over a 15-year period.

The MINIMI™ 5.56 light machine gun is the newest addition in line with the FN MAG™ medium machine gun and the FN M2HB-QCB heavy machine gun already in use by the Norwegian army.

[ Many thanks to Rijoenpial for emailing me the link. ]