The three major(ish) powers in the world are all looking to replace their assault rifles with a new system in a caliber between 6.2 and 6.8mm. Is this trend a logical development of the past century and a half of rifle development or is it an answer to a misunderstood problem? Peak WW1 Infantry rifle, the Mauser Gewehr 98:s, one with a trench kit consisting of an extended magazine and dust covers, The humble rifle has been the piece that holds terrain in war since it replaced the smoothbore musket sometime in the first half of the 1800’s. Two innovations, metallic self contained case and smokeless powder brought around the classic infantry rifles which fought the two world wars. The development up to this point was remarkably uniform across the militaries around the world and these rifles are the benchmark all following generations are compared to power wise. The initial power required from a military rifle were derived from two tasks. First was the ability to reliably stop a charging ...
Vantage Point North
News and analysis from security and warfare related topics with the focus mostly on Russia and Scandinavia. Occasional de-tours to the current hot spots around the world can be expected. -Petri Mäkelä