Dutch MARSOF to Switch to .300BLK

[Whootsinator]

This might be good news for you .300 Blackout types. They're buying enough rifles for ALL NL-MARSOF operators, a lot of standard ball, a good amount of subsonic, and frangible. This should be a total switch for the force.

http://www.janes.com/article/52727/dutc ... in-300-blk


The Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Force (NL-MARSOF) are planning to purchase a new carbine chambered in the non-NATO standard 7.62x35 mm (300 BLK), with a formal tender being launched by the Netherlands' Defence Material Organisation.

The tender is the first publicly known tender for the purchase of a 7.62x35 mm chambered rifle by any military.

In total, the Dutch naval commandos are looking to buy 195 select-fire carbines and 1.82 million 7.62x35 mm cartridges (1,345,000 ball, 244,000 subsonic, and 231,000 lead free frangible). Suppliers can apply to supply any combination of the small arms and rounds until 27 July.



NL-MARSOF is the Netherlands Marine Corps' elite unit, modelled after the British Special Boat Service (SBS), and divided into three squadrons: M Sqd (counter terrorism); C Sqd (sea operations); and T Sqd (training). A Special Operations Forces Support Group (SOFSG) provides logistic support and equipment.

The standard armament for the NL-MARSOF commandos is currently the short-barrelled German H&K HK416 carbine (chambered in the NATO-standard 5.56x45 mm round), which replaced the previously used Diemaco C8A1GD. It is possible to convert the HK416, or other AR-15 based rifles, to fire 7.62x35 mm ammunition by fitting a new upper receiver, barrel, and bolt.

[Dave1965]

Hmmm, thought the only change needed was the barrel because everything else interchanged with the 5.56 round.

[ssracer]

Hmmm, thought the only change needed was the barrel because everything else interchanged with the 5.56 round.

my thoughts as well

[Gunsmokin]

Hmmm, thought the only change needed was the barrel because everything else interchanged with the 5.56 round.

Maybe they're going the full upper replacement route to save a little time in the transition. Seems if they were to tear the rifles down to re-fit them with just the 300BLK barrels, there could be a chance of needing to replace other parts in the upper anyhow due to wear.

Story said they are buying 195 carbines, but didn't say how many retrofits they were planning. Surely, they need more than 195 rifles. Lol.

[Whootsinator]

Hmmm, thought the only change needed was the barrel because everything else interchanged with the 5.56 round.

Maybe they're going the full upper replacement route to save a little time in the transition. Seems if they were to tear the rifles down to re-fit them with just the 300BLK barrels, there could be a chance of needing to replace other parts in the upper anyhow due to wear.

Story said they are buying 195 carbines, but didn't say how many retrofits they were planning. Surely, they need more than 195 rifles. Lol.

.300BLK should just be a barrel change, yes. I assume they're buying complete uppers to be able to switch back to 5.56x45mm if/when necessary or that changing out all of the barrels is just more work than the cost of complete uppers.

NL-MARSOF consists of about 130 trigger pullers, so 195 carbines is enough. They're fairly small, but they are well respected hard hitters.