FN Herstal Showcases Longstanding Expertise
BELGIUM’S FN Herstal is showcasing its longstanding expertise in small arms at DSA & NATSEC Asia 2026, introducing several of its latest small arms innovations to Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific market. Known for its selection of light (LMG) and heavy machine guns (HMG), the company’s FN EVOLYS light machine gun available in both 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm NATO has attained full qualification and is ready for customers. Since its debut at the 2024 edition of DSA & NATSEC Asia, the FN EVOLYS has received several modifications to its internal parts, integrated bipod and buttstock based on user feedback.
With as many as 15 countries currently evaluating the platform, FN is now ready to produce large quantities of the EVOLYS quickly to the tune of several thousand pieces annually. Now fully certified, the first few contracts are expected later this year or early next year with customers now being able to receive just brief training from FN before the weapon is fully handed over for testing and evaluations. Aside from that, the ever-popular line of FN MINIMI Mk3 LMGs which now feature longer picatinny rails on the top, offering more real estate for accessories such as the combination of day and night optics.
The company also introduced the FN DEFNDER medium weight remote weapon station which can accommodate all FN machine guns up to the famed .50 calibre (12.7mm) M2HB HMG which fires around 600 rounds per minute. On top of that, it can be fitted with the M3R which has twice the firing rate of the standard M2HB, capable of firing up to 1,100 rounds per minute. Controlled from a control station, the updated control station features a bigger screen with better quality image. Suitable for use in static positions or mounted onboard vehicles, the FN DEFNDER is ideal for mounting on boats and land vehicles.
FN’s SCAR line of assault rifles are also still popular choices for customers, with the highly compact FN SCAR SC being used onboard Belgian Air Force fighter pilots, for emergency use as the FN SCAR SC fits under the pilot’s seat. Also making a comeback is FN’s iconic P90LV (laser visible) personal defence weapon (PDW), manufactured since the 1990s, the classic P90 look is maintained including key features and designs with updated upper picatinny rails on three sides for accessories. Aside from that, the P90LV has an integrated infrared (LIR) and visible (LV) laser pointer under the barrel. Most known for its 5.7x28mm NATO cartridge, the rounds can defeat soft body armour up to Level IIIA armour at 200m, greatly reducing the risk of collateral damage and overpenetration as the projectile tumbles after hitting the target. It is also suppressor-compatible and can be used with subsonic ammo and frangible ammo. The P90 is low recoil with only around 70% recoil compared to a standard sub-machine gun (SMG), still experiencing high demands with close protection units, special operations forces, and other military units across the globe.
Moving on to handguns, FN also brought its latest iteration of the FN Five-seveN Mk3 pistol. Also chambered in 5.7x28mm NATO, the latest Mk3 features improved ergonomics and a more modern twist to the original design, with the slide capable of accommodating any type of red dot sights under its polymer-encased steel slide. Its mechanical sights are also adjustable.
FN also produces ammo according to NATO standardisation, with 12.7mm ammunition among them. FN’s ARIA .50RR is a reduced range cartridge with a shorter travel distance limited to 3.5km in contrast to standard 12.7mm ammunition that have maximum ranges of 7km. This innovation allows customers with 7.62x51mm shooting ranges to train with 12.7mm platforms instead of longer shooting ranges that may not be readily available. On ammo production, FN has committed to increase its capabilities in producing 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm NATO rounds.
On top of small arms, FN also showcased its tech and less-lethal solutions. The modular and compact FN303 less-lethal launcher fires paint or pepper. To reduce risks in use, the FN303 has an artificial intelligence (AI) camera which can analyse targets it is pointed at. Should the AI detect a face, the system triggers a mechanism to lock the trigger and give two warnings to the operator in the form of lights and sounds. However should the operator look to proceed, it can be bypassed while the integrated weaponcam records sound, image and systems data which are kept by the end user, with no access by FN though FN can assist to link networks.
With one tank, the FN303 can fire three magazines worth of projectiles, or 35 shots, with a longer barrel and longer compressed air tank available depending on user needs. On tech, FN’s FCU Mk3 fire control unit and ELITY ballistic calculator were featured. The FCU can be paired with FN’s very own FN40GL grenade launcher or even grenade launchers from other manufacturers. It can measure distances up to 1000m for medium velocity, capable of selecting between low and medium velocity.