Belgian FN Browning Group has announced the acquisition of the UK-based Accuracy International, well-known for its specialisation in bolt-action sniper rifles.
Belgium’s prominent arms manufacturer FN is expanding towards bolt-action sniper rifles with the acquisition of the UK-based Accuracy International.
FN, despite not manufacturing bolt-action sniper rifles, has been producing the SCAR-H TPR marksman rifle based on the SCAR-H battle rifle adopted as Mk20 SSR by the USSOCOM.
According to the Accuracy International Director Tom Irvin, the acquisition will allow the sniper rifle specialist firm to widen its reach thanks to FN’s prominent presence in the NATO portion of the global market.
On the other hand, the FN Browning Group CEO, Julien Compere, views the acquisition as important for widening the precision rifle portfolio while keeping the long-standing cooperation with the UK MoD ever since the adoption of the FAL battle rifle as L1A1 SLR in the 1950s.
Accuracy International, a Dedicated Manufacturer of Sniper Rifles
On the other hand, Accuracy International has always focused on bolt-action sniper rifles from the beginning. The firm is widely known for the Arctic Warfare (AW) line of sniper rifles, which are available in various calibres and have been adopted globally by many military and law enforcement users.
Despite its success in the market, the firm faced financial challenges in the early 2000s and had been under the risk of liquidation before being re-acquired by its founding staff.
Currently, Accuracy International is producing the AXSR long-action and AT-X short-action multicalibre sniper rifles and the AX ELR 12.7 mm anti-material rifle.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
