Portugal is to replace its ageing Heckler & Koch G3 infantry rifles with FN SCAR-L, and training with the new weapons has begun according to a post on the Portuguese Army’s website last week. The short post described the first light weapons training course with some new infantry weapons, the highlight of which was the 5.56x45mm FN SCAR-L.

The training course ran from 29-31 July and took place at the Portuguese Army’s School of Arms in Mafra. It was the first training course of the Portuguese Army’s Army Light Weapon Modernization Project. The article explained:

The course was taught by a trainer from the manufacturer FN Herstal, focused on the transmission of technical knowledge about the different weapon types at the operator level. Of the weapons that will soon reach the Army, the SCAR-L Assault Rifle stands out, a version that will gradually replace the G3 Automatic Rifle.

The course was attended by representatives from Portugal’s three Army Operational Brigades, the Logistics Command, and the Army Staff.

Portugues Troops Training with SCAR-L (Portuguese Army)

Back in November 2017, TFB reported that the Portuguese military was looking at kick starting a massive small arms programme seeking 11,000 5.56x45mm rifles and 300 new 7.62x51mm rifles. New machine guns are also needed with 830 5.56x45mm light machine guns and 320 7.62x51mm general purpose machine guns. Other kit includes 450 7.62x51mm precision rifles, 1,700 grenade launchers, 380 shotguns and 3,400 sights. The programme was projected to cost up to €42.8 million ($50.3 million) with purchases due to be made by 2022. In March 2019, the adoption of the SCAR, the Minimi and FN’s under-barrel grenade launcher was announced with NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) handling the procurement.

FN Herstal Trainer with FN Minimi (Portuguese Army)

Also pictured in the article was the latest version of FN’s Minimi, complete with Flat Dark Earth paint job. The article does not mention the Minimi but its presence confirms the Portuguese adoption of FN’s light machine gun. According to the article, further training with the new weapons will begin to be ramped up under the Army Light Weapons Modernization project with more courses planned.

Source

H/T: Valter