It may have been a long time coming, but finally last week the French Ministère de la Défense has officially launched a program to replace the FAMAS rifle. A few days ago a tender notice (N ° 14-70321) was published on BOAMP.fr (the official government website which publishes acquisition notices, similar to FedBizOpps.gov) detailing the requirements for the Future Individual Weapon.

According to the notice:

• A total of 90,000 Future Individual Weapons will be acquired.
• The firearms will be distributed across the French Army, Navy and Air Force.
• 45,000 (half) will be a standard length version of the.
• The other half will be a short length version.
• They will also require 38,000,000 rounds of 5.56x45mm NATO.
• 51,000 40x46mm grenades will also be acquired (a mixture of different types, half of which will be smoke grenades for training).
• Technical documentation, support, spare parts and training material will be included with the purchase
• Three to five candidates will be selected to compete.

Back in 2011 the French CEMAT (Chef d’Etat Major de l’Armée de Terre / Chief of Staff of the Army) General Ract Madoux said a tender notice would be published in 2013. Since then French special forces have been adopting other rifles such as the FN SCAR and HK 416.

11ième Brigade Parachutiste with SCAR L

Thanks to Lionel for the tip.