British Land Weapons and Vehicles
Please note that this not a complete list of British weapons. We will add to the list as more information becomes available. If you have information on British weapons that are not listed below, please feel free to e-mail us Also please e-mail if you find any of the information below to be incorrect. We appreciate your in put.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 9mm L9A1 Browning pistol, of Belgian design, is a reliable, recoil-operated, magazine-fed, semi-automatic pistol with a maximum effective rang of 50 metres. |
|
|
Calibre |
9mm |
|
Length (m) |
0.196 |
|
Length of barrel (m) |
0.112 |
|
Weight empty (kg) |
0.88 |
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
1.1 |
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
354 |
|
Magazine capacity |
13 rounds |
|
Rate of fire |
Single shot |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
40-50 |
|
Known as the SLR (Self Loading Rifle) and is known for is straightforward fieldstripping and robust nature. The L1A1 is the British version of the Belgian FN FAL rifle. The L1A1 is a reliable, hard-hitting, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle. |
|
|
Calibre |
7.62mm |
|
Length (m) |
1.143 |
|
Length of barrel (m) |
0.5334 |
|
Weight empty (kg) |
4.337 |
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
5.074 with 20 round magazine |
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
838 |
|
Magazine capacity |
20 or 30 rounds |
|
Rate of fire |
40 |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
600+ |
|
The 105mm light gun is a versatile, air portable and airmobile artillery piece that can be carried around the battlefield under slung from a Puma or Chinook. In service since 1975 having replaced the 105mm Pack Howitzers. Robust and reliable, the gun proved its worth in the Falklands, firing up to 400 rounds per day. Traverse 11 degrees and Elevation -5.5 to +70 degrees |
|
|
Calibre |
105mm |
|
Length (metres) |
7.01 firing at 0 degrees |
|
Wheel Base width (metres) |
1.42 |
|
Weight (kg) |
1,858 in action |
|
Ammunition |
HE L31 (15.1kg), HESH L42 (10.49kg), Smoke L51 (15.98kg) |
|
Range (metres) |
17,200 firing HE; Minimum Range 2,500m firing HE |
|
Rate of Fire (rounds per minute) |
6 |
|
Crew |
6 |
|
Blindfire Rapier is a radar-equipped version of the Rapier SAM defence system used by the RAF Regiment and British Army for point air defence. The operator still retains the option of optical targeting if the radar fails to lock onto the target, but if radar is selected the engagement sequence is automatic. The radar has a range of about 12km. The fire unit usually carries four missile ready to fire and can be manually reloaded. It also requires a separate generator and, if required, radar units. The Tracked Rapier version is a tracked flatbed self-contained truck mounting a Rapier fire unit on its bed holding eight missiles ready for launch. The system is in constant development and can be made ready to fire (Tracked Rapier) in less than fifteen seconds. |
|
|
Length (m): |
2.235 |
|
Body Diameter (m): |
0.133 |
|
Fin Span (m): |
0.381 |
|
Weight of Fire Unit |
1,227kg |
|
Weight of Generator Unit |
243kg |
|
Weight of Missile |
42.6kg |
|
Radar Weight |
1,186kg |
|
Optical Tracker Weight |
119kg |
|
Range |
400-6,500m |
|
Maximum Speed |
Mach 2 plus |
|
Ceiling |
3,000m |
|
Launch Weight (kg): |
42.6 |
|
Weight of Warhead (kg): |
1.4 |
|
Type of Warheads available: |
High Explosive Semi-Armour Piercing |
|
Maximum Range (km): |
6.8 |
|
Minimum Range (km): |
400m |
|
Maximum Velocity (km/h): |
Mach 2+ |
|
Maximum altitude (m): |
3000m |
|
Light SAM system designed to provide organic air defence for infantry units. Withdrawn and replaced by Javelin. Blowpipe was a heavy weapon and of only limited use against fast jets. The weapon did how ever have some success on East Falkland against low flying Argentine Pucaras and Helicopters. |
|
|
Body Diameter |
76.2 |
|
Fin Span |
0.274 |
|
Length of missile (m) |
1.349 |
|
Weight of missile (kg) |
11 |
|
Warhead |
2.2kg (4.85lb) proximity fused HEAT/blast |
|
Fire Post |
|
|
Length of Launcher (m) |
|
|
Weight of Launcher: loaded (kg) |
21.2 with IFF (19.39kg without) |
|
Launch velocity (m/s) |
|
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
3,000 |
|
Maximum Altitude (m) |
|
|
Crew for Fire Post |
1 |
|
Sensors and Guidance |
|
A
Shoulder launched Surface to Air Missile employed by the SAS. The Stinger
is a man portable, infra-red (IR) homing (heat seeking) air defense guided
missile. The Stinger is designed to counter high speed,
|
|
|
Guidance |
Passive IR/UV Homing - Fire and Forget |
|
Speed |
Supersonic |
|
Length of Missile (m) |
1.52 |
|
Diameter of Missile (m) |
0.07 |
|
Wingspan of Missile (m) |
0.091 |
|
Weight of Missile (kg) |
10.1 |
|
Warhead |
3kg HE-Framentation and Impact Fused |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
5,000 |
|
Medium Anti-armour Weapon (MAW) Designed to be carried by one soldier and operated by a crew of 2, the weapon is "recoilless" because the gases produced when the round is fired are vented through the rear of the weapon. This high-velocity discharge of gas counterbalances the recoil of the weapon. This allows the Carl Gustav to engage armoured targets within 400 m to 700 m, depending on the type of ammunition used. |
|
|
Length of barrel (m) |
1.13 |
|
Weight (kg) |
16 |
|
Armour Penetration (mm): |
228, with HEAT round striking at 60 degrees |
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
160 |
|
Ammunition |
2.59kg HEAT L40A4 round |
|
Rate of fire: |
6 |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
Mobile: 400 Stationary: 500 |
66mm HEAT (high explosive anti-tank) is a one shot missile contained in its own launcher tube. Once fired, the tube can be discarded. This weapon has a range of 300m and can penetrate up to 300mm of armour. It measures just 65cm long when collapsed and weighs under 3kg. |
|
|
Calibre |
66mm |
|
Length (cm) |
65cm collapsed |
|
Weight of barrel (kg) |
|
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
3kg |
|
Elevation (degrees) |
|
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
|
|
Rate of fire |
Single shot disposable launcher |
|
Ammunition: |
HE L3682 4.2kg |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
300m |
|
The 51 mm Light Mortar is a weapon that can be carried and fired by one man, and is found in the Headquarters of an infantry platoon. The mortar can fire HE, smoke and illuminating rounds. |
|
|
Calibre |
51mm |
|
Length (m) |
750mm |
|
Weight of barrel (kg) |
12.7 |
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
6.275 |
|
Rate of fire |
8 bombs per minute |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
750m |
|
Fires all standard 81mm NATO and British mortar bombs. Man portable with a three-man crew and combat proven in the Falklands. It performs so well that the British Army does not use heavy mortars anymore, preferring the hail of fire from the L16 mortars. Mechanized battalions have FV432s converted to self-propelled mortar carriers. |
|
|
Calibre |
81mm |
|
Length (m) |
1.28 |
|
Weight of barrel (kg) |
12.7 |
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
35.3 |
|
Elevation (degrees) |
45 to 80 |
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
255 |
|
Rate of fire |
15 bombs per minute with well-trained crew |
|
Ammunition: |
HE L3682 4.2kg |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
5650 (minimum range of 100m) |
|
The Sterling. Replaced the Sten gun gradually from 1954 when it was adopted as the standard British sub-machine gun; Main users were second-line support services, tank crewmen, engineers and artillerymen. |
|
|
Calibre |
9mm |
|
Length (m) |
0.482 with folded butt, 0.69m with extended butt |
|
Length of barrel (m) |
0.198 |
|
Weight empty (kg) |
2.7 |
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
3.5 |
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
390 |
|
Magazine capacity |
34 rounds |
|
Rate of fire |
Cyclic 550, Practical 40 |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
200 |
Weapon
Of Magnesium, Battalion Anti-Tank is a heavy
|
![]() |
|
Calibre |
120mm |
|
Length (metres) |
3.86 |
|
Traverse (degrees) |
360 |
|
Elevation (degrees) |
-8 to +17 |
|
Muzzle Velocity (m/s) |
463 |
|
Weight (kg) |
308 |
|
Ammunition |
12.8kg HESH |
|
Range (metres) |
1,100 |
|
Rate of Fire (rounds per minute) |
4 |
|
|
|
|
Launch unit weighs 15.5kg, and the missile container is normally clipped on and served by a two or three man crew. Milan can penetrate up to 352mm of armour. During the Falklands Campaign the Milan proved very successful when used against Argentine bunkers |
|
|
Body diameter |
90mm minimum; Wing span 0.225m |
|
Length of missile (m) |
0.769 |
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
11.5 with container |
|
Launch velocity (m/s) |
75 to 200 m/s |
|
Warhead |
1.45kg |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
25 to 2,000 |
|
Known to the troops as the "Gimpy "A successful development of the Belgian FN MAG machine gun. Effective range of the GPMG light role is 800m. In the SF role it is 1800m and using map predictive fire 3000m. A two-man team operates the weapon and a number of weapons are normally grouped in a specialist machine gun platoon. The GPMG is used at Battalion level in the fire support role. |
|
|
Calibre |
7.62mm NATO cartridge |
|
Length (m) |
1.23 |
|
Length of barrel (m) |
|
|
Weight empty (kg) |
|
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
10.9 |
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
538 |
|
Magazine capacity |
Belt feed |
|
Rate of fire |
Cyclic:
750-1,000 rounds per minute;
|
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
800 (light role); 1,800 in sustained fire role |
|
These were old Mark 3 Brens that had been converted to fire the new NATO 7.62 rounds. Their barrels were chrome lined in order to reduce wear and increase barrel life. The 7.6 2 Brens are easily identifiable by their straight magazines, introduced to hold the rimless NATO round, and by the absence of the conical flash hider that was characteristic of the old WWII. 303s. |
|
|
Weight |
9.53kg |
|
Length |
1.133m |
|
Feed |
Magazine feed |
|
Effective Range |
600m |
|
Cyclic Rate of Fire |
500 rounds per minute |
|
Used by the British Army in the Falklands War the M79 was designed as a close support weapon for the infantry, and was intended to bridge the gap between the maximum throwing distance of a hand grenade, and the lowest range of supporting mortar fire. An area of between 50 and 300 meters. |
|
|
Calibre |
40mm |
|
Length (m) |
0.737 |
|
Length of barrel (m) |
0.356 |
|
Weight empty (kg) |
2.72 |
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
2.95 |
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
76 |
|
Magazine capacity |
Single grenade |
|
Rate of fire |
Single shot only |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
150 for individual targets, 400m for area targets |
|
Issued to British Special Forces during the Falklands Campaign it fires a 5.56 calibre round and its rate of fire is 800 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 1000 metres per second; devastating at close range. |
|
|
Calibre |
5.56mm |
|
Length (m) |
0.99 |
|
Length of barrel (m) |
0.508 |
|
Weight empty (kg) |
3.1 |
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
3.68 (20 round magazine); 3.82 (30 round magazine) |
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
1,000 |
|
Magazine capacity |
20 or 30 rounds |
|
Rate of fire |
Cyclic 700-950; Practical 40-60 |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
400 |
|
Last version of the Lee Enfield to see active service in the British Army. The L42A1 is a 7.62-mm x 51 manually bolt-operated 10-round box magazine-fed. It comes equipped with metallic sights The rifle is fitted with a converted No. 32 Mk. 3 telescope regraduated for use with 7.62mm ammunition. This telescope is 3X, fixed focus and has a muzzle velocity of 2,748 fps. |
|
|
Calibre |
7.62 |
|
Length (m) |
1.181 |
|
Length of barrel (m) |
0.699 |
|
Weight empty (kg) |
4.43 |
|
Weight loaded (kg) |
|
|
Muzzle velocity (m/s) |
838 |
|
Magazine capacity |
10 rounds |
|
Rate of fire |
Single shot |
|
Maximum effective range (m) |
1,000+ |
The M203 40mm Grenade Launcher is used while attached to an M16A1 5.56mm rifle. It is a lightweight, compact, breech loading, pump action, single shot launcher. |
|
|
Calibre (mm) |
40mm |
|
Weight (kg) |
1.63 |
|
Range (m) |
400 |
|
Rate of fire |
single shot |
|
Muzzle velocity |
246 feet per second |
|
Weight of Missile (kg) |
10.1 |
|
Originally designed as fully amphibious with preparation but this ability was removed from British Army Scorpions. First of the CVR (T) family. Hull shape emphasizes a low, compact silhouette with a glacis that is almost horizontal. The engine is in the right front with the driver to its left. The turret is composed of upper and lower octagonal halves so joined that the turret has no vertical sides. |
|
|
Engine: |
Jaguar J60 No.1 Mark 100B 4.235 litre 6-cylinder petrol; 190bhp at 4,750rpm |
|
Speed in Kph (unless otherwise stated): |
80.5 |
|
Range in Kilometres (Unless otherwise stated) |
644 |
|
Length (in metres): |
4.572 |
|
Width in metres |
2.235 |
|
Height in metres |
2.102 |
|
Combat weigh in kilograms |
7,938 |
|
Armament: |
One L23A1 76mm gun; One 7.62mm co-axial Machine gun, 3 smoke dischargers on either side of turret |
|
Crew |
3 |
Samson is a derivative of the CVR (T) Vehicle (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked) - it is the armoured recovery vehicle for all the vehicles in this class. Samson is fitted with a winch that can reach 122 metres/minute with 229 metres of wire rope. Using a 4:1 snatch block the winch can pull a load of up to 12 tons and is thus capable of pulling a load greater than the Samson itself. The vehicle is profuse with the usual array of engineering equipment and tools, and side racks hold baulks of timber for various purposes. |
|
|
Engine: |
Jaguar J60 No.1 Mark 100B 4.235 litre 190bhp |
|
Speed in Kph (unless otherwise stated): |
72.5 |
|
Range in Kilometres (Unless otherwise stated) |
483 |
|
Length (in metres): |
4.79 |
|
Width in metres |
2.43 |
|
Height in metres |
2.25 |
|
Combat weight in kilograms |
8.74 tonnes |
|
Primary Gun Armament: |
7.62mm Machine Gun, Two 4 barrel smoke dischargers |
|
Crew |
3 or 4 |
|
Scimitar is a CVR (T) vehicle (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked) with a primary role to gather information. Used by medium reconnaissance regiments and armoured infantry units for reconnaissance, the vehicle is fitted with a Rarden 30mm cannon for self defence |
|
|
Engine: |
Jaguar J60 No.1 Mark 100B 190bhp |
|
Speed in Kph (unless otherwise stated): |
80 |
|
Range in Kilometres (Unless otherwise stated) |
644 |
|
Length (in metres): |
4.9 |
|
Width in metres |
2.2 |
|
Height in metres |
2.096 |
|
Combat weight in kilograms |
7,750 |
|
Primary Gun Armament: |
1 x 30mm Rarden L21 gun, 1 x 7.62mm machine gun, two 4 barrel smoke dischargers |
|
Crew |
3 |
|
The Bv202E was selected when the British Army took over the flank defence role in Norway, and entered service in 1968. There are various versions. |
|
|
Engine |
Volvo type B18 petrol 91bhp 1.78 litre |
|
Speed in Kph (unless otherwise stated) |
39 |
|
Range in Kilometres (Unless otherwise stated) |
400 |
|
Length (in metres) |
6.172 |
|
Width in metres |
1.759 |
|
Height in metres |
2.21 |
|
Combat weight in kilograms |
4,200 |
|
Primary Gun Armament: |
One 7.62mm L7A2 Machine gun can be fitted |
|
Crew |
2 plus 8-10 troops |
|
The CEBARV is the only recovery vehicle in service in the UK in the amphibious role. Developed from the Centurion tank with a prefabricated turret to enable it to ford up to depths of 2.9m. The main tasks of the CEBARV are to recover drowned or broken vehicles; to "push off' beached landing craft using its built in special nose block; and to provide a breakwater for small craft and men in the water. |
|
|
Engine |
Rolls Royce Meteor Mk 4B VEE 12 |
|
Speed in Kph (unless otherwise stated) |
33.7 forward. 12.2 reverse |
|
Range in Kilometres (Unless otherwise stated) |
400 |
|
Length (in metres) |
8.077 |
|
Width in metres |
3.40 |
|
Height in metres |
3.45 |
|
Combat weight |
40 tonnes |
|
Crew |
4 |

|
|
|