Tag: ROYAL MARINES COMMANDOS

UK Royal Marines Commandos Adopt SIG Sauer MCX

The UK’s Royal Marines have confirmed that some units of the UK Commando Force are now equipped with the SIG Sauer MCX. The announcement on social media simply read: “The UK Commando Force has been issued with 1,500 new Sig Sauer MCX rifles for use in the maritime counter-terrorism role.” These are set to be used alongside the new Knights Armament-produced KS-1s which were adopted in 2023 as the L403A1.

Royal Marine of 42 Commando seen with a 5.56x45mm MCX in the Royal Marines’ video ‘RAID’, (Royal Marines)

The first confirmation that the MCX was in British service came in February, with the publication of a video titled ‘RAID’ showcasing the Royal Marines Commandos’ capabilities. In the video members of 42 Commando are seen using SIG MCX LTs while Marines from 40 Commando are seen using the L403A1, which has been adopted by elements of the UK Commando Force and the new Army Special Operations Brigade, which is made up of the battalions of the Ranger Regiment which was formed in 2021. Check out my earlier article/video looking at the L403A1 here.

In a full statement the Royal Navy, under which the Royal Marines operate, said the procurement was “part of £6m Navy investment” with the new rifles “designed to complement the Commandos’ new general use weapon [the L403A1].”

This means that the UK Commando Force have at least four AR-patterned (in terms of ergonomics and layout) carbines in service: the new MCX variant, the L403A1 (KAC KS-1), and the L119A1/A2 (Colt Canada C8) which is available in a standard configuration with a 15.7 in barrel and in the C8SFW configuration which has a CQB upper receiver with a 10 inch barrel. Additionally, they also deploy the 7.62x51mm AR-10-pattern L129A1, with plans in the works for an A2 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Lieutenant Colonel Olly Osborne, of the Commando Force Programme team, said: “These rifles reinforce the commitment of the Navy and Defence to our transformation, and the value the Commando Force provides to our national and international security. This is an excellent period of investment in the force and provides great confidence through exceptional task specific modern weaponry.”

The rifle was procured under the auspices of Project Hay, during which the Royal Navy says that Commandos “put the system through strenuous testing during force-on-force exercises and live firing drills… [they were able to] thoroughly field-test systems and provide feedback on their performance. This was instrumental in shaping the final configurations of the fielded MCX.”

A different configuration of the MCX LT was previously part of the Project Hunter trials. The Royal Marines Commandos’ MCX will replace the short C8SFW with trials of a .300BLK upper and associated ammunition said to be ongoing. This will likely be used in conjunction with reduced ricochet, limited penetration ammunition.

At SHOT Show 2025, SIG Sauer had one of the rifles on display but couldn’t offer details at the time.

From the released imagery we can see that the rifle, an MCX LT, seen at SHOT 2025 matches. The rifle has a 12.5in barrel and is equipped with a SIG Romeo 8T red dot sight and Juliet magnifier, mounted on a UK-marked mount, as well as a SLXC compact suppressor.

In addition to the 5.56x45mm chambering the Royal Marines will also field a .300BLK configuration which has a 9in barrel and accessories (including the stock, an SLX762QD suppressor, magazines, rail scales and optics) in black finish while the 5.56x45mm chambered carbines all feature FDE-coloured accessories (as seen above). This system is intended to prevent the mix up of ammunition between the two weapon systems preventing accidents. As with the earlier L403A1 procurement the MCX carbines were procured via UK-based Edgar Brothers.

The .300BLK configuration of the Royal Marines’ new MCX carbine (SIG Sauer)

UK Commando Force is made up of a number of specialist units; 42 Commando, the unit seen equipped with the rifles in the RAID video, specialises in Maritime Security Operations, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Joint Personnel Recovery, Support and Influence Operations, and Ships Force Protection Teams.

42 Commando won’t be the only unit to deploy the new rifles. UK Commando Force Operations confirmed that L403A1 Alternative Weapon System (AWS) is the primary weapon for 40 Commando and 45 Commando, and the Commando Force’s Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SR). The latest figures from the UK MoD confirm that delivery of 1,620 carbines have been completed. but that the MCX will also equip 47 Commando Raiding Group. Other UK Commando Force elements will retain the Colt Canada C8, with the aim of replacing remaining SA80 series weapons currently in use.

Royal Marine of 45 Commando with an upgraded Colt Canada C8 in 2021 (UK MoD)

In a recent article Soldier Systems Daily, who has a close relationship with SIG Sauer, noted that the procurement of the Royal Marines’ MCX-pattern carbines had been carried out two years ago with delivery completed in 2024. The Royal Navy’s announcement did not state what the weapons’ designation is but several models of MCX have been in UK service for a number of years, largely within the ecosystem of UK Special Forces. Sources suggest that these MCX are designated the L143A1 and L143A2, it remains to be seen if the new rifles will be designated the L143A3 or be classified as A2s.

Most recently, UK Commando Force shared several photos and a short video of the MCX at the range, with a Royal Marine demonstrating how the weapon can be fired with the stock folded. This is a useful feature for operating in confined spaces during boarding operations.

This article was adapted from a piece originally published at TFB. 

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Hands On: The UK’s L403A1 / Knights Armament KS-1

In September 2023, the United Kingdom has announced the selection of the Knight’s Armament Company KS-1 as the new individual weapon for the Ranger battalions and the Royal Marines Commandos. Back in January, while attending SHOT Show 2024, I was able to get a first hands on look at the new rifle which has been designated the L403A1. The requirement for the new rifle was released back in August 2021, as part of Project Hunter, and called for the “procurement and support of an Armalite Rifle (AR) platform Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) System.”

Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) System comprises the weapon and a ‘Signature Reduction System’ [suppressor] and an ‘Optic System’. The AIW replaces the SA80/L85 series of rifles and Colt Canada L119s in service with the Rangers and elements of the Royal Marines Commandos. After two years of competition the UK MoD announced that Knight’s KS-1 has been selected as the L403A1, beating off reported competition from Heckler & Koch’s HK416A5, SIG Sauer’s SPEAR-LT, Daniel Defense’s M4 and Glock’s new GR-115F.

The rifles will be procured via UK-based company Edgar Brothers and the £90 million ($110 million) contract will see up to 10,000 new rifles delivered over the next decade. An initial £15 million order for 1,620 AIW systems was placed with the first rifles delivered before the end of 2023. 

Anatomy of the L403A1 (Edgar Brothers)

The system is built around the Knight’s Armament Company KS-1 (SR-16) and includes the Knight’s QDC/MCQ-PRT suppressor, a magnified 1-10 LPVO optic from Vortex and an Aimpoint ACRO P-2 red dot, however, the rifle we examined had a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro mounted in its place. The rifle I had the chance to examine was in the configuration of L403A1 but did not have any markings unique to the British rifles which will likely have an ‘L number’ marking on the magazine well. On its left-side the rifle has ‘5.56mm KS-1’ on its upper receiver and bellow it on the lower receiver’s magazine well ‘STONER RIFLE [KAC’s roll mark] and [the weapon’s serial number]’. On the right side the magazine well is marked ‘SR-16 5.56mm, KNIGHT’s ARMAMENT CO. TITUSVILLE, FL, USA’. The weapon has the Knight’s URX-6 ML OK handguard.

The KS-1 is the latest iteration of the SR-16 series, it has a 13.7in (35cm) barrel, which if you look closely you can see is dimple cut to reduce weight. The rifle unloaded weighs in at 6.88lbs (3.1kg) and its overall length is 32.2in (82cm) with the stock collapsed and 34.2in (87cm) extended. The QDC/MCQ-PRT weighs an additional 13.9oz and adds just over 2 inches to the weapon’s length. The rifle uses a direct gas impingement system (or more correctly described as Stoner’s internal piston system). The rifle examined at SHOT Show was fitted with a Magpul SL-K Carbine Stock rather than the Magpul CTR which will equip the AIW. Similarly, it was equipped with Knight’s own Folding Micro Rear Sight rather than the Magpul MBUS Pro folding iron sights which the L403’s will be issued with.

The UK MoD required the rifle to have a removable trigger guard for cold weather use as the RM Commandos in particular regularly operate in cold weather environments, so Knight’s also designed a reinforced trigger guard, with a spring detent, that is more robust.

In terms of ergonomics and handling you can’t learn too much from handling an unloaded rifle for about 5 minutes but it felt fairly well balanced and had standard AR-15 type controls – including ambidextrous magazine and bolt releases. It had some heft to it (even unloaded) weighing approximately 4.3kg or 9.5lbs (after doing some maths adding up the stated weights for all of the AIW’s components: optics, suppressor, weapon). Which while heavier than a stock M4A1 it is lighter than an L85A2 and A3.

Special thanks to Knight’s Armament Company for allowing me to take a look at the rifle.

Check out our earlier article/videos looking at the AIW L403 here

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Does the L403A1 Mount a Bayonet?

In a recent article/video we looked at the UK’s newly selected Alternative Individual Weapon system, the L403A1. The Knight’s Armament KS-1 was selected as the new rifle for the Ranger Regiments of the Army Special Operations Brigade and for elements of the Royal Marines Commandos.

One question which frequently appeared in the comments was “can it fit a bayonet?” This is a good question because the British Army is known to be a proponent of bayonet use with a long history of using it to great effect from the 1600s right through to recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron member with new L403A1 (Royal Marines Commandos)

The short answer to the question is – yes. The longer answer is a bit more complex. Just a week after the selection of the new rifle was announced Knights Armament displayed one of the rifles with a bayonet fixed at the DSEI 2023 exposition in London. This naturally caught some attention.

L403A1/KS-1 with a bayonet seen as DSEI 2023 (via social media)

However, when the selection of the L403A1 was initially announced a breakdown of the Alternative Individual Weapon system’s accessories and ancillaries was released. This included: a Vortex 1-10x LVPO, an Aimpoint ACRO and a QDC/MCQ-PRT [Quick Detach Coupling/Mini Close Quarters–Pressure Reduction Technology] suppressor along with a sling, a vertical front grip, and a Surefire weapon light but noticeably it did not include a bayonet.

Breakdown of the parts and accessories adopted with the L403A1 (Edgar Brothers)

The ability to fix a bayonet was not part of the weapon’s original requirements and it was not stipulated by the Rangers or Commandos. Instead, Knight’s Armament developed the capability themselves, perhaps recognising the UK’s fondness for the bayonet and the British Army’s long history of its use as both a training aid and as a weapon of war.

KAC’s 1st bayonet design with QDC attachment mechanism (courtesy of Gregory Knowles)

TAB reached out to Knight’s Armament about the bayonet and they confirmed that “the bayonet was designed in anticipation of a potential need, though not required as part of the contract.” The bayonet seen fixed to the rifle at DSEI was apparently the first iteration of the design which according to Knight’s Armament “used the same mounting mechanism as the suppressors” but a new “revised design uses an attachment mechanism that is more similar to the SA-80 bayonet attachment/retention design.”

Essentially, rather than using the suppressor’s ‘Quick Detach Coupling’ system the newer iteration of the bayonet uses a pivoting catch. The quick-detach method used by the suppressor involves the suppressor being rolled one way until the index pin seats in a notch before tightening it by twisting it the other direction.

Photos of 2nd bayonet design (Knight’s Armament Company)

The new iteration of the bayonet fits over the rifle’s 3-prong QDC muzzle device and uses the same style of catch system as the SA80. Knight’s Armament explained that “the redesign was a refinement of an initial concept after some basic testing and feasibility evaluation.” The bayonet haven’t undergone any serious testing as they’re still in the development phase. A chromed version of the latest iteration of the bayonet was also displayed at DSEI and has a removable pommel piece that can act as a small storage space and makes the bayonet more comfortable for use as a knife.

The bayonet’s blade is offset to the left side with a corresponding hole which lines up with the muzzle.

While bayonets aren’t currently planned to be issued with the rifles, the requirement might develop once they enter service. If, in the future, the UK Ministry of Defence requested a bayonet for the new rifles it seems that Knight’s Armament could be able to oblige.

Project Hunter: The UK’s New Assault Rifle

The United Kingdom has announced the selection of the Knight’s Armament Company KS-1 as the new individual weapon for the new Ranger battalions and the Royal Marines Commandos. The requirement for the new rifle was released back in August 2021, and called for the “procurement and support of an Armalite Rifle (AR) platform Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) System.”

The requirement called for a ‘Rifle System’ which comprises the weapon and a ‘Signature Reduction System’ [suppressor] and an ‘Optic System’. The rifle itself had to be ‘gas operated with a rotating, locking bolt’ and was to specifically have “a standard configuration, not bullpup, with the magwell in-front of the trigger housing.”

Royal Marines Commando with L403A1 (Royal Marines/Royal Navy)

The UK launched Project Hunter to select a new Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) to replace the SA80/L85 series of rifles and Colt Canada L119s in service with the Rangers and elements of the Royal Marines Commandos. After two years of competition the UK MoD has announced that Knight’s KS-1 has been selected as the L403A1, beating off reported competition from Heckler & Koch, SIG Sauer, Daniel Defense and Glock.

Other weapons believed to have been evaluated include the HK416A5, the SIG Sauer SPEAR-LT, the Daniel Defense M4 and Glock’s GR-115F. Other companies believed to have submitted rifles include Colt Canada, Lantac, Haenel and Steyr amongst others.

The new rifles will supplement the L85A2 and L85A3 which currently equip the majority of the UK armed forces. The rifles will be procured via UK-based company Edgar Brothers and the £90 million ($110 million) contract will see up to 10,000 new rifles delivered over the next decade. An initial £15 million order for 1,620 AIW systems has been placed with the British Army fielding them with the Army Special Operations Brigade, with the brigade expected to receive the first rifles by the end of 2023. The Royal Marines’ ‘strike companies’ and Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron will also be among the first to receive the L403A1. The ‘Alternative Individual Weapon’ essentially fulfils the same role every AR-pattern rifle in UK service has since the 1960s.

New Alternative Individual Weapon – L403A1 (UK MoD)

The UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

“This is another example of how we are committed to investing in the most advanced battlefield equipment to back our troops on the battlefield. This advanced rifle’s ability to help soldiers maintain the stealth edge not only protects them but delivers war-fighting advantage over our adversaries.”

Interestingly, the UK Ministry of Defence’s press release emphasises that as an AR-pattern rifle the L403A1 “shares much in common with the rifle systems used by many of the UK’s allies. Given their specialist role, and the critical task of working with and alongside many of the UK’s allies, the platform will enable ASOB to share skills and drills in an efficient manner.”

Close up of the Vortex and Aimpoint optics which make up part of the AIW package (Royal Marines/Royal Navy)

So what does the Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) system include?

The system builds around the Knight’s KS-1 but also includes a magnified 1-10 LPVO optic from Vortex, an Aimpoint ACRO P-2 red dot and the Knight’s QDC/MCQ-PRT suppressor.  The prime contractor for the project, Edgar Brothers, are responsible for the sourcing and assembly of the AIW’s accessories. Accessories for the rifle will include a MAGPUL M54 sling, a Surefire Mini Scout Light Pro, G10 rail scales and a MAGPUL M-LOK AFG.

Anatomy of the L403A1 (Edgar Brothers)

The KS-1 is the latest iteration of the SR-16 series, it has a 13.7in (35cm) barrel and weighs 6.88lbs (3.1kg) unloaded, its overall length is 32.2in (82cm) with the stock collapsed and 34.2in (87cm) extended. The QDC/MCQ-PRT weighs an additional 13.9oz and adds just over 2 inches to the weapon’s length. The rifle uses a direct gas impingement system (or more correctly described as Stoner’s internal piston system).

The selection of the new rifle forms part of the Royal Marines’ larger modernization push under the Commando Force Programme alongside a new helmet from Gentex and Fused Binocular Night Vision devices from L3Harris.

Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron member with L403A1 in Norway (Royal Marines/Royal Navy)

We got our first indication of the KS-1’s selection in June, when the Royal Marines published a new recruitment advert featuring the rifle. It was also subsequently seen during a demonstration at Lulworth Ranges in July.

While the British military have used AR-pattern rifles since the 1960s in various roles, Project Hunter and the Alternative Individual Weapon represents a major procurement and it remains to be seen how it will influence Project Grayburn – the effort to select a replacement for more than 150,000 SA80s.

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Bibliography:

Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) System Tender Aug. 2021, UK Govt. (source)

£90 million contract equips Armed Forces with advanced new rifle, UK MoD (source)

Britain’s Commandos to get new assault rifles, Royal Navy (source)

Knight’s KS-1, Knight’s Armament Company, (source)

UK Selects New Assault Rifle, Overt Defense, (source) [This article is adapted from this original article]