Concept phase for Britain’s new assault rifle due to end next year

Project Grayburn, the programme examining a replacement for the SA80 family of weapons, is due to complete its concept phase in the second quarter of 2027, according to defence minister Luke Pollard.

Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon, asked when a procurement route, delivery model, supplier, product and contractual structure would each be selected. Pollard replied: “Project GRAYBURN remains in its concept phase, which is due to complete in Q2 2027. Until then, the Authority is at an early stage of developing the requirement, scope and approach to any future procurement and these remain subject to further development and approvals. The preliminary market engagement will inform the Authority’s understanding of the market and potential delivery models for the project. The supplier, product and contractual structure will be subject to the delivery model chosen.”

The preliminary market engagement notice issued on 23 October put an estimated value of £2 billion on the work, including VAT, across a contract period from July 2029 to the end of March 2045. It said a tender notice is not expected until 2 July 2027.

The notice, published by the National Armaments Director Group, sets out plans for engagement with industry to help determine how the replacement programme might be delivered. The department has yet to select a preferred procurement route or contractual arrangement, with the requirements and scope remaining subject to further development.

Earlier procurement documentation outlined five proposed weapon variants, including standard and short-barrelled close combat rifles, a personal defence weapon to replace the L22 carbine, a general-purpose rifle to replace the SA80A2 and a cadet rifle to replace the L98. The programme is intended to address requirements across several categories of small arms used by British forces.

The eventual calibre remains under consideration. In November 2025, Pollard confirmed that the Army was examining the advantages and disadvantages of changing calibre, including the possible adoption of intermediate cartridges such as 6.8×51mm. The department has also identified the ability to defeat modern body armour as a requirement for the replacement capability.

British manufacture forms part of the programme’s stated industrial objectives. Pollard told MPs earlier this year that the Ministry of Defence had established expectations for Project Grayburn to be manufactured in the United Kingdom, with consideration also being given to potential export opportunities and the maintenance of specialist manufacturing expertise.

The SA80 family entered British military service in the mid-1980s, replacing the 7.62mm L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle as the Army’s principal infantry weapon. The original L85A1 underwent a substantial modification programme by Heckler & Koch, resulting in the L85A2, while a further modernisation programme introduced the L85A3 configuration from 2018. Changes included revised mounting arrangements, a new handguard and improvements to the weapon’s external finish and compatibility with optical sights.

The L85 is a gas-operated, magazine-fed assault rifle using a bullpup configuration, with its action and magazine positioned behind the trigger assembly. The arrangement allows a relatively long barrel to be accommodated within a shorter overall weapon. It is chambered for the NATO-standard 5.56×45mm cartridge and uses a detachable 30-round box magazine. According to published British Army specifications, the SA80 individual weapon has an overall length of 785mm, a barrel length of 518mm and a stated effective range of 400 metres.