Forces to Receive One of the Largest Caliber Rifles Available
(Source: UK Defence Procurement Agency; issued Aug. 30, web-posted Aug. 31, 2004)
UK Armed Forces are to receive one of the largest caliber British-made rifles since the Victorian era.
Made by Portsmouth-based Accuracy International, the new rifle will be used by specialist snipers to dispose of large unexploded bombs from a safe distance. It fires a bullet half an inch wide and five and a half inches long – even bigger than the bullet fired by the 19th Century Martini-Henry rifle immortalized in the epic film ‘Zulu’,
The rifle -- an AI50F -- fires a range of sophisticated incendiary ammunition which can pierce bomb casings and ignite the explosive filling which then burns harmlessly away and its advanced design means it has pin-point accuracy up to three quarters of a mile.
Around 70 of the new rifles will be delivered to specialist units of all three services as part of a £5million contract.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Bach said: “This new rifle is one of the largest caliber British made rifles ever purchased for our armed forces, even dwarfing the famous Martini-Henry which was a stalwart of the British Army for more than 30 years.
“Unlike its famous predecessor this new rifle comes with a high-powered telescopic sight, laser rangefinder and spotting scope, however just like the Martini-Henry it packs a colossal punch.”
Used throughout the Anglo-Zulu war the heavy-caliber Martini-Henry was used by a handful of British troops as they successfully defended Rourke’s Drift against 4,000 Zulu warriors in one of the most famous battles of the British Army.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
The AW50F from Accuracy International will be used by specialist sniper units to safely dispose of large unexploded bombs.
It is man-portable and can be used by service personnel wearing full NBC kit.
The only other large caliber British made rifle used by Britain following the Martini Henry was the Boys anti-tank rifle which had a very brief service life at the start of World War Two, more than 60 years ago.
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