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| Country |
Belgium |
| Type |
Light machine gun |
| Manufacturer |
Fabrique Nationale |
| Introduction |
1974 |
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| Weight |
6.85 kg (15.1 lb) (standard model)
6.56 kg (14.5 lb) (Minimi Para)
5.32 kg (11.7 lb) (vehicle model)
8.17 kg (18.0 lb) fixed stock (Minimi 7.62)
8.4 kg (19 lb) telescopic metal stock (Minimi 7.62) |
| Length |
1,040 mm (40.9 in) (standard model)
914 mm (36.0 in) stock extended / 766 mm (30.2 in) stock collapsed (Minimi Para)
793 mm (31.2 in) no buttstock (vehicle model)
1,015 mm (40.0 in) fixed stock (Minimi 7.62)
1,000 mm (39.4 in) stock extended / 865 mm (34.1 in) stock collapsed (Minimi 7.62)[1] |
| Barrel length |
465 mm (18.3 in) (standard model)
349 mm (13.7 in) (Minimi Para)
502 mm (19.8 in) (Minimi 7.62) |
| Width |
110 mm (4.3 in)
128 mm (5.0 in) (Minimi 7.62) |
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| Cartridge |
5.56x45mm NATO
7.62x51mm NATO (Minimi 7.62) |
| Action |
Gas operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire |
700-1150 rounds/min
680-800 rounds/min (Minimi 7.62) |
| Muzzle velocity |
925 m/s (3,035 ft/s) (standard model)
866 m/s (2,841.2 ft/s) (Minimi Para) |
| Effective range |
300-1000 m sight adjustments |
| Feed system |
200-round M27 disintegrating-link belt, 30-round STANAG magazine |
| Sights |
Rear aperture, front post |
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The Minimi (short for the French term Mini Mitrailleuse meaning mini machine gun) is a Belgian 5.56 mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of several countries, among them: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States (as the M249 SAW). The weapon is currently manufactured at the FN facility in Herstal as well as being license-built in Australia, Greece and the USA (by FN Manufacturing LLC). The Minimi is configured in several variants, the standard model (as a platoon or squad support weapon), the Para version (for use with armored vehicle crews, helicopter pilots and parachute infantry) and the vehicle model (as secondary armament for fighting vehicles).
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