The Swedish government has procured a large quantity of automatic rifles from the US to support its military expansion and modernization efforts.
A total of 15,000 Colt M4A1 automatic rifles will be delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces to replace its outdated Ak 5 rifles, which were produced by local firm FFV Ordnance.
The new rifles will first be assigned to Swedish soldiers participating in a NATO mission in Latvia early next year.
“By 2030, the size of the army is expected to double. The same goes for the volume of weapons, which we will need in large quantities,” Stockholm’s procurement arm head Jonas Lotsne explained.
The acquisition of US-made rifles is expected to enhance the Swedish military’s operational effectiveness amid growing regional tensions.
A Significant Upgrade
The M4A1 is typically distinguished by its 14.5-inch (36.8-centimeter) barrel, which improves both accuracy and bullet velocity.
Weighing just 7.62 pounds (3.4 kilograms), it can be equipped with accessories like grenade launchers, laser rangefinders, or thermal sights for enhanced lethality.
The weapon has a magazine capacity of 30 rounds and a theoretical rate of fire of up to 950 rounds per minute.
It also has an effective firing range of 500 meters (1,640 feet), exceeding the Ak 5 rifle’s 400-meter (1,312-foot) range.
In addition to the M4A1, the Swedish Armed Forces has also procured 22,500 AK 24 assault rifles to further strengthen its firepower.
