Dutch special forces to buy carbines chambered in 300 BLK

The current standard armament for NL-MARSOF is the HK416 carbine. Source: Dutch Ministerie van Defensie
The Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Force (NL-MARSOF) are planning to purchase a new carbine chambered in the non-NATO standard 7.62x35 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 7.62x35 mm chambered rifle by any military.

In total, the Dutch naval commandos are looking to buy 195 select-fire carbines and 1.82 million 7.62x35 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.

NL-MARSOF are looking to buy a new carbine chambered in the non-NATO standard 7.62x35 mm 300 BLK round. (Dutch Ministerie van Defensie)

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 5.56x45 mm round), which replaced the previously used Diemaco C8A1GD. It is possible to convert the HK416, or other AR-15 based rifles, to fire 7.62x35 mm ammunition by fitting a new upper receiver, barrel, and bolt.

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