The UK armed forces have upgraded rifles used by snipers to include day and night sights and increased firing power, as part of the Sniper System Improvement Programme.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says the L115A3 rifle will be used for the first time by snipers in the 16 Air Assault Brigade.

The rifle fires a large calibre round up to 823m and features a state-of-the-art telescopic sight with twice the magnifying power of the older version.

All-weather day and night sights give snipers the ability operate around the clock, which has previously been impossible.

The 580 weapons were manufactured by UK firm Accuracy international and the day sights were produced by Schmidt & Bender, the MoD says.

By staff writer