Come Back Alive Foundation delivered FN Minimi machine guns to the Territorial Defense Forces
21 August, 2024 FN Minimi machine guns of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine. Ukraine, January 2024. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation
Ukrainian soldiers of the Territorial Defense Forces received a batch of Belgian FN Minimi machine guns purchased by the Come Back Alive Foundation. The Foundation stated that this batch consists of 30 machine guns for the 126th Territorial Defense Brigade. "The most experienced fighters of the brigade, known for their daring operations in the Kherson region, received this 7.62 NATO caliber weapon," the Foundation shared.
They added that the batch of machine guns cost UAH 18,950,715. NPC Ukrenergo allocated the money for the purchase. "There are already 110 machine guns.
And this is not the limit," the Foundation noted.
FN Minimi machine guns of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine. Ukraine.
January 2024. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation
The Minimi machine gun is designed to enhance the firepower of infantry units. The effective range depends on the type of target and firing conditions: for a group target from a tripod - up to 1000 meters, from a tripod - up to 1000 meters, from bipods - up to 800 meters.
These figures are 800 and 600 meters for a single target, respectively. The machine gun is based on a gas-operated automatic weapon, which locks the barrel by turning the bolt. Ammunition is supplied from a metal strip.
The latest version of the Mk.3 weighs about 8.2 kg.
FN Minimi Mk.3 machine gun
The new model has a modernized ammunition feed tray and bolt release lever mechanism, which significantly facilitates the process of loading the tape with one hand. The Minimi has an adjustable ergonomic stock, integrated forend and bipod, and several Picatinny rails for mounting additional equipment.
FN Minimi machine guns of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine. Ukraine, January 2024.
Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation
As previously reported, FN UK, a Belgian FN Browning Group subsidiary, will cooperate with the American True Velocity to manufacture a new machine gun.