UK Ministry of Defence Says Project Grayburn to Span Pistols Through Machine Guns
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed that Project Grayburn, the British Army’s future small arms programme, will extend beyond replacing just the service rifle to cover a full range of infantry weapons — from pistols to machine guns.
In written parliamentary answers, Defence Minister Luke Pollard reiterated that Grayburn remains in its concept phase and has not yet progressed to formal design selection or production decisions. However, the expanded scope marks a broader effort to modernise the Army’s close combat weapons portfolio under a unified framework.
Broader Scope Than Initially Publicised
Under the current structure, Grayburn is being shaped to encompass a variety of weapon types — not limited to a next-generation service rifle. Early concept work is considering multiple variants built on a common architecture that could include:
- Standard dismounted close combat rifle (intended SA80 replacement)
- Short-barrel variants
- Personal defence weapons to replace the current L22 carbine
- Generalist rifles
- Cadet weapons replacing the L98 family
Decisions on configurations such as barrel lengths and role-specific performance thresholds will be determined later in the concept phase, with user roles and expected engagement profiles guiding differentiation.
Industrial Strategy and Sovereign Supply
Pollard emphasised that a key objective is to generate skilled employment and sovereign manufacturing capability in the UK, consistent with the Defence Industrial Strategy. While the MOD has not committed to the exact level of domestic production, the focus on industrial resilience remains central as the programme evolves.
Earlier industry engagement notices under the Grayburn umbrella have highlighted the Ministry’s intent to replace the SA80 family ahead of its projected out-of-service date around 2030. Concept work is also driven by lessons from recent conflicts, including the need to defeat modern body armour and integrate advanced optics and night-vision systems.
Operational Enablers and Technology Integration
Officials have indicated that beyond lethality improvements, the programme is examining signature reduction technologies and the potential for long-term spiral development rather than single procurement events. A strategic supplier relationship, rather than discrete contracts for individual systems, is under consideration to maintain a sustained partnership with industry.
Strategic Context
Project Grayburn stands as one of the most significant British small arms modernisation efforts in decades, aiming to replace the decades-old SA80 service rifle while broadening the capability envelope across the infantry weapons suite. According to summaries of the initiative, the programme could influence up to 150,000–180,000 future small arms systems and has considered a range of calibres and modular designs — reflecting evolving NATO standards and battlefield requirements.
What’s Next
Despite the expanded scope and ongoing industrial discussions, no final design, supplier, or formal acquisition contract has yet been announced. MOD documentation indicates that further industry engagement is anticipated as the concept phase progresses, with future notices expected to outline evaluation and assessment timelines.
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