The Czech Army, known as the Armada Ceske Republiky (ACR), is ushering in a new era of modernization within its military arsenal by welcoming a significant addition – a thousand units of the Minimi Mk.3 7.62×51 machine guns. This acquisition signifies a pivotal step in upgrading their military equipment. These powerful arms, equipped with sturdy accessories, complement the already deployed Minimi Mk.2 7.62×51 weaponry within the Czech armed forces. Opting for the Minimi aligns with the Czech forces’ strategic choice, valuing the gun’s reliability while aiming to maintain uniformity in armaments. This approach also helps sidestep additional costs that often accompany the introduction of new weaponry, considering logistical challenges and the need for technical personnel training. The adoption of the 7.62×51mm NATO Minimi as the Czech Army’s standard machine gun marks a shift away from the Uk vz. 59, signifying a phase of comprehensive modernization. The 601st Special Forces Group relies on the Mk 48 Mod 0, while the use of the 5.56mm M249 variant is also noted. The decision to acquire the MINIMI in both 7.62×51 mm and 5.56×45 mm variants, alongside the necessary equipment procurement slated between 2021 and 2025 (totaling 950 units, with 12 in 5.56 x 45 mm caliber), signifies the completion of the 3rd stage of small arms rearmament.
The FN Minimi, coined from the French term “Mini Mitrailleuse,” stands as a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun, also categorized as a squad automatic weapon designed by Ernest Vervier for FN Herstal. Having been introduced in the late 1970s, this weapon boasts a presence in over 75 countries. Manufactured at the FN facility in Herstal and their U.S. subsidiary, FN Manufacturing LLC, the Minimi operates from an open bolt. As an air-cooled, gas-operated long-stroke piston weapon, it exclusively supports fully automatic fire, accommodating belt feeding or magazine firing. The Minimi comes in various configurations – the Standard model serving as a platoon or squad support weapon, the Para version designed for paratroopers, and the Vehicle model employed as secondary armament for fighting vehicles. Distinguishing the Minimi Mk2 from the Minimi Mk3 primarily lies in their enhancements and updates derived from operational experiences and user feedback. The Minimi Mk2, an advancement by FN Herstal from the original model, integrated improvements from the M249 enhancement program. Notable upgrades included a new polymer stock with space for a hydraulic buffer and a Picatinny optics rail on the feed cover, while the TR model incorporated three Picatinny rails to the forearm.
Contrarily, the Minimi Mk3 stands as the latest iteration of this weapon. By default, it features three Picatinny rails on the forearms and offers a retractable and adjustable tactical stock. The Para model comes with both fixed polymer stock and retractable stock options. Specific improvements in the Mk3, drawn from 10 to 15 years of operational experience and user insights, encompass a 5-position adjustable stock with a 4-position adjustable cheek rest, an integrated shoulder rest, a hydraulic buffer, and a new height-adjustable bipod. Upgrades to the top cover and feed tray facilitate easier one-handed reloading, while the charging handle’s ergonomic redesign allows ease of use with either hand. Additionally, a new optional accessory, the heat shield, is available. The 7.62×51 mm model arrives equipped with an array of accessories, including a collimator sight, a magnification module, an infrared marker, a night vision aiming system, along with various sets of spare parts and service tools. This comprehensive setup ensures operational versatility and readiness for the Czech Army as it reinforces its small arms arsenal with the FN Minimi Mk.3, aligning with their modernization and commitment to allied partnerships.
