Zarvan
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Pakistani Army officers try FB Radom's MSBS 7.62N during a demo at the Land Forces Training Centre in Poznań (Polish Army)
Since 2016, TFB has been closely following the Pakistani Army’s search for a new service rifle to replace its indigenously produced G3 rifles and the Type 56s currently in service. It has now emerged that the Pakistani military may also be interested in FB Radom’s MSBS series of rifles.
Previously, the Czech Česká Zbrojovka’s (CZ) Bren 2 had been suggested as a the next potential Pakistani service rifle. In May 2017, we reported that the Pakistani Army was looking for 75,000 “modern 7.62x39mm caliber weapons” in addition to a 7.62x51mm rifle to replace the G3. Entries from Beretta, FN, Kalashnikov Concern and Zastava are believed to have been submitted.
General Raheel Sharif, then Chief of Army Staff, examining a CZ Bren 2 in 7.62x39mm in early 2016 (defence.pk)
Pakistan are seeking a license to produce the rifles they select at their Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF). In the spring of 2017, POF signed a letters of understanding with both Beretta and CZ to facilitate and enable production of rifles in Pakistan. This made production possible if adopted but there is still no official word on whether either of these entries have been selected.
The latest photographs from Poland show Pakistani officers testing a variety of small arms including precision rifles, designated marksman’s rifles and service rifles during a visit on the 20 June. Milmag report that the demonstration was held by the Polish Army, at their Land Forces Training Centre in Poznań. This came during an official visit by the Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa,
POF workers assembling G3-A3 rifles (Midas Communications Pakistan)
This may signal that Pakistan is now interested also in rifles produced by FB Radom. Back in April 2018, Poland signed an agreement with the Pakistani ministry of defence for mutual co-operation in defence matters and a strengthening of military ties. The MSBS can be chambered in a variety of calibres including the two Pakistan is seeking rifles in – 7.62x51mm (the MSBS-7.62N) and 7.62×39mm (the MSBS-7.62S).
It would make most logistical sense for one manufacturer to be selected to license both the 7.62x51mm and 7.62x39mm rifles. While both Beretta and CZ’s offerings can also chamber both rounds it seems Pakistan is continuing to examine its options.
Sources: 1 2
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/06/28/pakistan-interested-in-radoms-7-62x51-msbs/
