The United Kingdom’s Royal Marines have confirmed the acquisition of the SIG SAUER MCX rifle as part of an ongoing effort to modernize their elite Commando Force. This new acquisition aims to enhance the unit’s operational capability in specialized missions, including counterterrorism operations.
The SIG SAUER MCX will be supplied in 300BLK and 5.56 NATO configurations, accompanied by SIG SAUER’s ROMEO-8T optical sights and JULIET magnifier. The Royal Navy has procured over 1,500 units of this model in partnership with Edgar Brothers, as part of a broader £6 million investment in re-equipping the Commando Force.
This acquisition is part of a process to replace rifles previously supplied by Colt Canada. Additionally, the MCX will be integrated into the Commando Force arsenal as a complement to the recently introduced Knights Armament Stoner 1 (KS-1) rifle, which was announced as the unit’s standard weapon in September 2023.
A Step in the Commando Force Transformation
The introduction of the MCX marks a significant advancement in the transformation of the UK’s Commando Force, increasing its ability to conduct special operations worldwide. Lieutenant Colonel Olly Osborne, a member of the Commando Force Program team, highlighted the importance of this investment:
“These rifles reinforce the Navy and Defence’s commitment to our transformation and the value the Commando Force brings to our national and international security. This is an excellent period of investment in the force, providing great confidence through exceptional modern weaponry for specialized tasks.”
The MCX was chosen for its adaptability to various extreme environments in which the Commando Force is expected to operate. To ensure its effectiveness, the system has undergone rigorous testing, including force-on-force exercises and live-fire drills in operational conditions.
The new rifles will be used by the Commando Force as part of the Royal Navy’s Littoral Response Groups. These units combine amphibious ships, aircraft, vehicles, and commandos into a highly flexible force capable of executing global crisis response and special operations.
Source: Royal Navy. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.