France replacing assault rifle with HK416F

The German gun manufacturer Heckler & Koch has recently delivered the first batch of HK416F 5.56x45mm assault rifles to the French Army. The new gun was chosen to replace the French FAMAS weapon which has been in service since the late 1970s. France intends to buy more than 102,000 rifles for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Forces, under the under the future personal weapon program worth €168 million (U.S. $184 million). The contract also covers the procurement of 10,767 grenade launchers The rifles in the photo are designated the future sidearm or “Arme Individuelle Future (AIF)”. The HK416F-S is shown above, with a 14.5 inch and the HK416F-C, with an 11-inch barrel, below. Both were displayed at MILIPOL 2017. The HK416 is also in service with the Norwegian military.