The MINIMI machine guns are purchased in the caliber of 7.62x51 mm and the caliber of 5.56x45 mm also in this third stage of acquisition. In both cases, the soldiers demand machine guns with a wide range of accessories. And why MINIMI? According to the soldiers, the acquisition of another type of weapon would cause a disruption in the uniformity of armaments and a disproportionate increase in the cost of operating and maintaining the weapons. The logistical sustainability of operating another type of weapon would be financially more demanding also because of the necessity of training technical personnel.

Picture: The earmarked combat units of the Army of the Czech Republic are primarily armed with these support weapons | Daniel Hlaváč / army.cz

As part of the fulfilment of the Czech Republic's ambitions and the commitments to NATO for the creation of brigade, battalion and company task forces, the earmarked combat units of the Army of the Czech Republic are primarily armed with these support weapons. To ensure the full compatibility of all earmarked units, it is necessary to rearm with the same type of weapon, which will ensure a reduction in the cost of logistical support in the operation of this weapon and full interoperability with NATO and EU units in joint operations.

What exactly will our army get in the third phase of the purchase and what accessories will be included?

MINIMI machine gun caliber 7.62x51 mm with equipment will include:

- Collimator sight,
- magnification module,
- infra-red marker (visible and invisible spectrum) DBAL A4,
- night vision aim system,
- a set of gauges,
- ratio set of spare parts 1:25,
- OREA service key set
- SP 1:25 set for collimator sight,
- SP 1:25 set for magnification module,
- SP 1:25 set for night vision aim system.

MINIMI machine gun caliber 5.56x45 mm with equipment will include:

- Daylight optical sight,
- laser target marker with accessories
- night vision adapter with accessories,
- thermal imaging adapter with accessories,
- a set of gauges,
- ratio set of spare parts 1:10,
- service key set,
- SP 1:10 set for collimator,
- SP 1:10 set for daylight optical sight,
- SP 1:10 set for night vision adapter
- SP 1:10 set for thermal imaging adapter.

What is the reason for the acquisition of this specific type of machine gun MINIMI in caliber 7.62x51 mm and 5.56x45 mm with the required equipment to be purchased in 2021-2025 in the maximum total number of 950 pieces (of which 12 pieces of MINIMI machine guns in caliber 5.56 x 45 mm) is the completion of the 3rd stage of rearmament with small arms. The army will thus gain truly high-quality, proven machine guns and at the same time demonstrate the effort to fulfil the Allied commitments.

FN MINIMI is a fully automatic long weapon, machine gun, caliber 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm (this caliber is purchased by the ACR). The weapon is intended as a basic support weapon of the crew (platoon), as carried and operated by a single shooter, but can also be mounted if necessary (on a tripod or for mounting on equipment) and perform to a limited extent the tasks of a universal machine gun. The weapon is currently used in the armaments of virtually all NATO countries, especially the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States (here under the designation M-249 SAW).

The weapon is fed with a standard articulated, disintegrating NATO ammunition belt type M-27 for 5.56 mm ammunition, fed from the left side of the weapon. The belt can be theoretically endless. A plastic or canvas box with a capacity of 250 pcs Nb 5.56mm cartridges in a belt can be attached to the weapon or a free belt can be used. The weapon also has a magazine port on the left at a 45° angle, into which any magazines for the AR-15/M-16/M-4 assault rifle can be used.