§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many modifications have been carried out to the SA80 rifle in the last five years.[145743]
§ Mr. IngramIn the last five years the SA80 has been subject to a major modification programme to improve its reliability by either replacing or reengineering components. Work began in 2001 and is scheduled to be completed by May 2006. Approximately 93,000 modified weapons have been issued to date. The basic design and concept of the modified SA80—the SA80 A2—remains the same, but there are significant engineering improvements to the internal gas systems, firing pin, bolt, hammer and barrel. The cocking lever has been redesigned to deflect spent cases and reduce the chance of stoppages, and the new magazine is more reliable and robust. Work has also been undertaken on the safety catch/plunger, and following successful trials of a revised safety plunger during Op TELIC, a contract will be let shortly to procure a sufficient quantity to modify all weapons
The modification programme also includes enhanced ancillaries. An Operational Cleaning Kit has been developed which enables the user to undertake an 414W operational clean without dismantling the weapon. This is being issued to all troops deployed on Op TELIC in the infantry role