Britain’s battlefield firepower is about to pack an even bigger punch. The Ministry of Defence has signed a £20 million contract with FN UK to upgrade the L111A1 heavy machine gun, better known to most as the iconic .50 calibre Browning.
A Weapon with History, and a Future
First introduced more than 90 years ago, the Browning .50 cal is a legend of warfare, renowned for its devastating firepower and reliability. The British Armed Forces’ L111A1 variant remains a frontline favourite, mounted on vehicles, naval platforms, or fired from a tripod to deliver blistering close-range support with an effective reach of 1,800 metres.
The Royal Navy also relies on the weapon to counter fast inshore attack craft — proving that, even after nine decades, this machine gun is still a force to be reckoned with.
The Upgrade Deal
Under the ten-year agreement, FN UK will overhaul and sustain the weapon system, tackling obsolescence issues, improving reliability, and cutting long-term support costs. Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) estimates the improvements could save the MoD around £9 million over the programme’s lifetime.
The contract will also have an impact closer to home: it will create ten new jobs and secure around 80 roles at FN UK’s Kent facility, the only site in Britain still manufacturing and assembling machine guns.
Senior Voices Weigh In
Brigadier Nick Serle, Head of Military Capability Delivery for the British Army, said the upgrade would “further enhance the lethality of our close combatants” while keeping vital UK defence skills alive.
Richard Murray, Director of Lethality & Protect at DE&S, added that FN UK’s support would ensure Britain’s forces “continue to benefit from one of the world’s most capable heavy machine guns, with enhanced performance and reliability.”
FN UK’s chief executive, Michelle Cantoni, described the deal as a “milestone” for the company during its 50th year of British manufacturing. She said: “As the only machine gun manufacturer in the UK, we’re proud of this announcement… it’s a fitting achievement as we mark half a century of production here and over 135 years of expertise within the FN Group.”
Rollout Timeline
The upgrades won’t happen overnight. By March 2026, 18 percent of the weapons will have been delivered, with half expected by March 2027, and the remainder by March 2028.
For the MoD, it’s a long-term investment in both firepower and British industry. For soldiers on the ground and sailors at sea, it’s reassurance that one of their most trusted weapons is here to stay, sharper, tougher, and deadlier than ever.
