Belgium-based FN Browning Group, which owns firearm and outdoor brands like FN Herstal, Browning, and Winchester, has invested approximately £13m ($17m) in its UK subsidiary, FN UK.
This investment follows the award of a ten-year contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) last month.
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The contract, valued at £20m, will see FN UK responsible for upgrading and providing ongoing support for the UK Armed Forces’ L111A1 Heavy Machine Gun, known as the .50 cal heavy machine gun.
FN Browning Group CEO Julien Compère said: “The HMG contract is more than a contract, it is a mutual commitment: a commitment to operational excellence, a commitment to long term collaboration, and a commitment to the British defence ecosystem. This investment is a consequence of the trust the UK MOD are placing in us.”
FN UK, which completed its 50th anniversary this year, is claimed to be the only manufacturer of assault rifles and machine guns in the UK.
FN Browning Group said that FN UK will continue to support major projects, such as the Army’s Grayburn rifle replacement programme and the Mid Life Improvement programme for the HMG.
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By GlobalDataFN UK CEO Michelle Cantoni said: “This large capital investment secures jobs in the UK as well as allowing us to plan for our long-term future. FN UK is here to stay, to grow and to continue serving those who serve.”
Earlier in 2025, FN developed a lighter variant of its .50 calibre crew-served weapon system.
The company used advanced composite materials in the new version, achieving a 40% reduction in weight compared to previous models while maintaining the same level of performance.
