New Look SAF uniform
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M249 is a beltfed weapon, but a little ammo box can be attached to the side through the ammo belt.
The M240 is known here as the GPMG, or more specifically, the M240G. -
The reason I question why they don't seem to have any ammo or ammo pouches is that they seem to have just dismounted from a vehicle in the background. They are wearing face paint. So for all intents and pirposes they are on some kind of training. But why train without full SBO? And these seem to be all airborne troopers.
So it looked like a hurriedly posed photograph. But for what purpose?
PS
The first 2 guys are carrying with 5.56mm M249 SAW. It is a belt-fed weapon that can also accept a M-16 magazine, though problematic.
The M249 is the American modified version of the FN Minimi.
SAF does not use the M249. But the Filipinos, Indonesians and Malaysians all use the M249. Indoneisa and Philippines have both bought unknown quantites of Ultimax from us. But the PAF selected the Minimi over the Ultimax as the main SAW.
This was not a wise move as the M249 is expensive, complicated and apparently, the Philippines does not have a plant available for the manufacturing of 5.56mm in belts. So the ammo is IMPORTED!!!
Philippines soldiers according to some forums preferred the Ultimax over the M249 as they liked the Ultimax's light weight and accuracy. The M-249 is too heavy for a weapon firing a small 5.56mm bullet.
The M240 - not shown here - is the American modified version of the 7.62mm FN MAG. SAF uses the FN MAG and we call it the GPMG. -
My bad. I meant to type M249 but typed M240 instaed. Sorry!
