Afghanistan requests US weapons
The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale (FMS) for individual and crew served weapons, equipment, training, and support to Afghanistan at a cost of $60 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 18 August.
Afghanistan has requested 4,891 M16A4 5.56mm rifles; 485 M240B 7.62mm machine guns; and 800 M2 .50 calibre machine guns. The request also includes M3 tripod machine gun mounts; MK-93 40mm machine gun mounts; MK-19 40mm grenade launchers; M110 7.62mm sniper rifles; and M249 light automatic machine guns.
Spares, training and support equipment and services are also included in the request.
The Afghanistan National Army (ANA) will use the equipment and weapons in ongoing offensive and defensive counter-insurgency operations.
Is the sale goes ahead FN America will be the principal contractor for the M240B machine guns. The principal contractors for M2, M16A4 and other weapons will be determined in open competitions.
While equipment for the ANA is typically purchased with Title 10 Afghanistan Security Forces Fund appropriations and implemented by DSCA through pseudo-FMS cases, Afghanistan will use US government grants to fund and support this proposed purchase.
More from Land Warfare
-
CV90 revels in northern exposure while looking for new customers (updated April 2025)
The BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 IFV has been around for decades but continual refreshing to maintain power and relevance, along with a healthy market at home in Sweden and neighbouring countries, has led to more than 1,700 vehicle orders with 10 countries.
-
Oshkosh notches JLTV win with Dutch order
The order further extends the Oshkosh Defense production line as AM General, selected for US orders, pushes to get vehicles out the door with no room for export orders.
-
Dronebuster product line and production capability expanded
DZYNE Technologies, the maker of Dronebuster counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) devices, has announced plans to expand production and released details on a new version of the system. This follows the release of an all-in-one kit system earlier this year.
-
Ireland plans for radar capability in 2026
The Irish Government has previously outlined ambitious plans, the furthest reach of these being the possible purchase of fighter aircraft to provide a capability the country’s defence force currently doesn’t have. A more advanced procurement effort for a primary radar is being fast tracked.
-
US Army LTAMDS enters production phase
LTAMDS was approved in multiple flight trials and assessments.