Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/901315
During MSPO 2017 new name for the MSBS-5,56 system was revealed. From now on, officially the 5.56 mm NATO variant will bear the name Grot C16FB-M1 which can be easily translated to "arrowhead" or "spearhead". Name also refers to nickname of General Stefan Rowecki, leader of the Armia Krajowa (Home Army) during the World War Two. He was murdered by the Gestapo in prison, probably on the direct order of Heinrich Himmler.; What's interesting is that name breaks almost 50 years tradition of giving names for weapons and ammunition from rare metals like Beryl, Tantal or Glauberyt Second event connected to Grot C16FB-M1 happened just few minutes after was contract award that was signed be- tween Military Unit NIL (POLSOCOM support and logistic units) and FB Łucznik-Radom (manufacturer of Grot). Sig- natures were placed under the presence of Polish Ministry of Defense Antoni Macierewicz and PGZ CEO Błażej Wojno- wicz. Contract was signed for delivery of 53,000 5.56 Grot rifles in 2017-2020 for Territorial Defense Forces (WOT) and Land Forces. Value of the contract is approx. 117M EUR - 30,000 rifles are „guaranteed order" and 20,000 are an option. FB Łucznik-Radom CEO informed that price includ- ed whole kit to include: bayonet, magazines, sling, cleaning kit and e-learning pack for preliminary training. It has to be taken into consideration that along with the weapon, new infrastructure will be created. Spare parts, training rifles and cut-away rifles for training will be also provided. Based on that statement we can see that simple calculation by divid- ing contract value by number of rifles is not accurate, in ad- dition delivery for military consist of other logistics element that are absent in civilian world. Some kind of novelty is to every Grot rifle will come with eight thirty round magazines. Till the end of 2017 first "null" batch of rifles supposed to be delivered to WOT – 1,000 rifles. Conclusions based on their use will be included into future batches upgrades. WOT predicts that eventually they will get M3 version and all older rifles will be upgraded to the final standard. Very interesting fact is purchase by Military Unit NIL that handles all logistics for Polish SOF and not by Armament Inspectorate. NIL has already make some purchases in the past for non-SOF units, such as Antos mortars for Airborne and Air Cavalry. Press officer of WOT explains that is also matter of overload in Armament Inspectorate with current work and WOT's cell responsible for support is now in es- www.fragoutmag.com