Home All Dutch Special Forces to Buy 300 Blackout Caliber Carbines

Dutch Special Forces to Buy 300 Blackout Caliber Carbines

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Dutch SF Boarding Helocopter
Dutch SF Boarding Helicopter

Janes

The word has come down that the Netherlands SF (Korps Commandotroepen — KCT) is buying 195 300 Blackout carbines and 1.82 million rounds of 300 BLK ammo. I was  reticent to post this since I fully expect the 300 BLK mafia to make my life a living hell in constantly having to swat down all the assumptions that will come from this. No, this does not mean 300 BLK is now, or ever will be, a standard NATO service round. The US Army CAG uses 40 S&W Glocks and no where do we see 40 being listed as a standard NATO pistol round. All this means is… a small military with an even smaller boutique unit has decided to buy mission specific, boutique rifles in a boutique caliber for a boutique use.

That is all. It’s interesting. Nothing more.

–Marky

 

The Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Force (NL-MARSOF) are planning to purchase a new carbine chambered in the non-NATO standard 7.62×35 mm (300 BLK), with a formal tender being launched by the Netherlands’ Defence Material Organisation.

The tender is the first publicly known tender for the purchase of a 7.62×35 mm chambered rifle by any military.

In total, the Dutch naval commandos are looking to buy 195 select-fire carbines and 1.82 million 7.62×35 mm cartridges (1,345,000 ball, 244,000 subsonic, and 231,000 lead free frangible). Suppliers can apply to supply any combination of the small arms and rounds until 27 July.

Dutch SF Standard Rifle HK416. Standard Shotgun Mossberg 590
Dutch SF Standard Rifle HK416. Standard Shotgun Mossberg 590

 

NL-MARSOF is the Netherlands Marine Corps’ elite unit, modelled after the British Special Boat Service (SBS), and divided into three squadrons: M Sqd (counter terrorism); C Sqd (sea operations); and T Sqd (training). A Special Operations Forces Support Group (SOFSG) provides logistic support and equipment.

The standard armament for the NL-MARSOF commandos is currently the short-barrelled German H&K HK416 carbine (chambered in the NATO-standard 5.56×45 mm round), which replaced the previously used Diemaco C8A1GD. It is possible to convert the HK416, or other AR-15 based rifles, to fire 7.62×35 mm ammunition by fitting a new upper receiver, barrel, and bolt.

Dutch SF Conduct CQB Training. What I imagine the 300BLK will be used for
Dutch SF Conduct CQB Training. What I imagine the 300BLK will be used for