The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Project GRAYBURN, the British Army’s future small arms programme, remains in its concept phase and does not yet have a defined measure of “export potential”, despite clear expectations that the weapons will be manufactured in the UK.
In a series of written answers to Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the department has “set clear expectations that Project Grayburn will be manufactured in the UK to enhance sovereign industry, generate employment and provide opportunity for export.”
However, he added that “there is currently no specific definition for the future export potential of Project Grayburn,” though it is considered desirable for the programme to create export opportunities. Analysis of potential addressable export markets, he said, will be conducted as part of the current concept phase.
Pollard also confirmed that the department cannot yet assess the adequacy of the UK supply chain for the programme, stating that the project remains at an early stage and that manufacturing, testing and assurance arrangements have not been finalised. On the question of calibre changes within GRAYBURN, Pollard said the project will use established scrutiny and approvals processes, including the Combined Operational Effectiveness and Investment Appraisal, as part of its decision-making framework.
The answers follow earlier confirmation that Project GRAYBURN will cover the full dismounted close combat weapons portfolio, from pistols through to machine guns, and is intended to replace the SA80 family before its planned out-of-service date around 2030. Previous parliamentary responses and industry notices indicated that concept work is examining multiple weapon variants built around a common architecture, likely including a standard rifle, a shorter variant, a personal defence weapon to replace the L22 carbine, a generalist rifle and a cadet weapon. Decisions on calibre, barrel length and variant distinctions are expected to be taken during the concept phase, informed by operational role and engagement requirements.
Export potential might be a bit wishful thinking, as it will be a licensce built copy, unless Berreta, HK and Co decide it’s worth diverting orders to keep their UK factory open.
I’d also be surprised if we saw Grayburn deliver anything before 2029. Project Hunter was as fast program, largely driven by ASOB and the RM as customers with hands on trials, rather than the very diverse stakeholders that Grayburn is supplying, and that still took about 5 years from flash to bang.
Low in the order of priorities, surely, with the new kit across the board that the Army needs?