Earlier this week, we reported about the Pakistani Army seeking a new rifle to replace its aging license-produced Heckler & Koch G3 and Chinese Type 56 rifles, and now new details – and most excitingly, new images – have come to light.
First, it seems the Pakistanis are not considering the 5.56mm caliber for their next-generation rifle. Previously, I reported that the Zastava M21 and CZ 806 Bren 2 rifles being considered were in 5.56mm caliber, but this is not the case. Photos of an industry show-and-tell have been released, and show not only the Zastava M77 in the 7.62x51mm caliber, but also the as-yet unannounced and unseen CZ Bren 2 rifle in 7.62×39!
In 2013, CZ announced the multicaliber 807 Bren, offered in 7.62×39 for the Indian military (although no photos surfaced), but the 7.62x39mm version of the newer 806 Bren 2 has come completely by surprise, as does the totally new pattern of magazine designed for it.
Thanks to Retiv for the tip!