Poland is seeking to adopt a new sniper rifle as part of its modernization program. The new rifle, the tender for which was released earlier this week, will fire .338 Lapua Magnum and, with a conversion kit, 7.6x51mm NATO. Jane’s reports:

Poland has begun a tender for 150 bolt-action sniper rifles chambered in 8.6×70 mm (.338 Lapua Magnum).

The weapon will be the first .338 Lapua Magnum rifle in Polish service and is to feature an exchangeable barrel, bolt head and magazine so it can use the cheaper 7.62×51 mm NATO round for training.

Bidders are to respond by 5 November, with the Accuracy International AXMC, Barrett MRAD, SAKO TRG M10, and Voere LBW-M2 rifles expected to compete. None of Poland’s small arms manufacturers offer such a rifle. The tender also includes 50,000 ball-type 8.6×70 mm rounds, and day/night weapon scopes.

The new Polish rifles will follow the trend of powerful large-caliber sniper rifles that has been developing since the release of the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge in 1989. The caliber offers substantially better accuracy and ballistics than either the smaller .308 Winchester round, or the larger .50 BMG round, while still being accommodated by a reasonably-sized bolt action rifle.