Beretta GLX-160 UBGLs in Service with Egyptian SOF

[Zarvan]

A recent image posted on Egypt Defense Review has shown perhaps one of the more detailed images publicly available of Beretta GLX160 40x46mm Low-Velocity UBGL/Stand Alone configuration grenade launchers in use by Egyptian special operations forces (also in use are CZ 807s). The caption states that these operators are from the “103th Battalion” after a night raid. Due to the rising level of violence in the Sinai Peninsula, it is possible that their location is in Sinai as well. Of particular note here is that this appears to be the second order of GLX 160s from Beretta, being that the first went to Egyptian Naval special operations personnel.





Although this may seem new to many followers of the region, what appears to be the first instance of GLX 160 launchers among Egyptian special operations could possibly be in 2013 when this image came out of a soldier posing with an ARX160 and mounted GLX160 underneath. In addition to this photo, we also have Kazakh special operations on parade with Coyote Tan finish 7.62x36mm ARX160s and matching GLX160 UBGLs.



The soldier is technically a “sailor” as this is the Egyptian Naval special operations command. From a televised video of a visit to a training center of the command, we have this image of a black GLX160 both in standalone form and in a UBGL mounted version. Also note the short Benelli M4 in the middle, another Beretta company/product.



What differentiates this first order is the color of the ARX160s and the GLX160s. The 7.62x39mm rifles are tan while the grenade launchers are black. Interestingly this dark OD finish isn’t listed on Beretta’s product description of the rifles. In the Army issue/order, the grenade launchers have a matching OD finish with the OD finish of the ARX160 rifles. However, they still have black telescoping Benelli-inspired stocks.

Notice additional images of the rifles and grenade launchers in these series of photographs posted to Twitter in February of this year indicating that the 2013 purchase order is still in active use.



Note the indigenously produced Maadi Kalashnikov patterned rifle in front and Beretta ARX160 with GLX160 in standalone configuration slung on the right. Both rifles have interchangeable magazines and ammunition despite several decades of a design and development gap. This is possibly what the Egyptian procurement command had in mind when working on the contract.



Specifications (Beretta Defense Technologies)

Caliber: 40 x 46 mm
Barrel Length: 9.5 in. (243 mm)
Finish: Black, Coyote Brown
Locking System: Rotating Bolt
Sights: Front sight adjustable for elevation and windage. Multi-position rear sight (from 50 to 400 meters in 50-meter steps)
Trigger System: Double Action
Stock: Telescoping Stock 5-positions



Special Thanks to Egypt Defense Review, check out his Twitter Handle and website for all things Egyptian defense.


http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/04/23/beretta-glx-160-ubgls-in-service-with-egyptian-sof/

 

[Gomig-21]

What differentiates this first order is the color of the ARX160s and the GLX160s. The 7.62x39mm rifles are tan while the grenade launchers are black. Interestingly this dark OD finish isn’t listed on Beretta’s product description of the rifles. In the Army issue/order, the grenade launchers have a matching OD finish with the OD finish of the ARX160 rifles. However, they still have black telescoping Benelli-inspired stocks.

This is a bit confusing. Is @Frogman suggesting that those ARXs with the same colored grenade launchers in that top pic have a different OD finish than the tan ones? I think they're the same tan ones, just the pic was taken at nighttime with probably a crappy cellphone camera so they might look greenish or a different color finish. They're most likely the same tan finish as the rest of them.

I think the only other color ARX160 is the standard black finish, just like the corresponding black grenade launchers.

 

[Suff Shikan]

 

[Zarvan]

View attachment 469074

Well Well Well Janab seeing you after really long time

 

[Armchair-General]

AK mags, Pakistan should consider this since it works well in hot areas (Egypt) plus we can use the older type 56 mags with it.

 

[Suff Shikan]

Well Well Well Janab seeing you after really long time

Ofc main proxy laga k use kerna perta hai , main sara din Forum ya FB pay betha rehta tha tw block kerdia

 

[Gomig-21]

AK mags, Pakistan should consider this since it works well in hot areas (Egypt) plus we can use the older type 56 mags with it.

Has the Pakistani army introduced any new rifle recently, or is it still using mostly the AK and M4? I see the Styr AUG also but I could've sworn I saw a new rifle introduced recently.

I think you guys are using the GP-25 GL, right? It's Russian made IIRC and are they using it with AKs only?

The ARX-160 also has an interchangeable barrel to go from 7.62mm to 5.56mm short and long. Very versatile. Only thing it seems to be a bit bulky and cumbersome, kinda like the Tavor except it's not a bull pup, thank goodness! Hope they never introduce any bull bups.

Personally, the tan ARX-160 is probably the best color for Egyptian soldiers and the sand environment, but I'm partial to the all-black.

 

[Gomig-21]

AK mags, Pakistan should consider this since it works well in hot areas (Egypt) plus we can use the older type 56 mags with it.

For some reason I thought I read somewhere that Pakistan was introducing the SCAR but I guess not. Must've been another country.

The SCAR-H is very similar to the ARX-160.

 

[Frogman]

This is a bit confusing. Is @Frogman suggesting that those ARXs with the same colored grenade launchers in that top pic have a different OD finish than the tan ones? I think they're the same tan ones, just the pic was taken at nighttime with probably a crappy cellphone camera so they might look greenish or a different color finish. They're most likely the same tan finish as the rest of them.

I think the only other color ARX160 is the standard black finish, just like the corresponding black grenade launchers.

I'm not sure what Miles is getting at there tbh. May just be a mistake on his part. The point is that it was two separate batches. The initial one for the Navy which included the black UGL and the second one for the Army which included the tan/desert UGL.

 

[Gomig-21]

I'm not sure what Miles is getting at there tbh. May just be a mistake on his part. The point is that it was two separate batches. The initial one for the Navy which included the black UGL and the second one for the Army which included the tan/desert UGL.

Yeah it sounds like he was a bit confused by that first pic taken at night. I think he thinks there's a 3rd color/finish that isn't in the ARX brochure when it's just the tan one.

When did they get the black rifles? I know there's not many of them but we've seen a few scattered with several units. They were either testing prototypes ahead of the first order or included the few in the first batch.

 

[Frogman]

Yeah it sounds like he was a bit confused by that first pic taken at night. I think he thinks there's a 3rd color/finish that isn't in the ARX brochure when it's just the tan one.

When did they get the black rifles? I know there's not many of them but we've seen a few scattered with several units. They were either testing prototypes ahead of the first order or included the few in the first batch.

I have absolutely no idea. But you could be on the right track with a testing batch or a early adoption by SOF/SF units.