The Hungarian arms industry may have scored a rare hit, with the three branches of Britain’s special services set to order the all-Hungarian Lynx GM6 anti-materiel rifle, according to the Daily Mail.
Originally developed by engineer Ferenc Földi during the last three years of communism, the Gepárd (“Lynx”) entered service with the Hungarian Armed Forces in 1991 and quickly became an unexpected success for the country’s then almost non-existent weapons industry.
Besides Hungary, it is currently used by Canada, India, Mali, Romania and Turkey.
The first variant, the manual-feed M1 — using the Soviet 12.7x108mm cartridge — did have significant range and huge firepower, but was cumbersome to reload. The subsequent variants were either bolt-action or semi-automatic (as the Lynx GM6).
They now come chambered either for the original Soviet cartridge they were designed for, or the similar .50 BMG cartridge used by NATO armies. It has a maximum firing range of 2,500 meters and although designated as an “anti-materiel” rifle (i.e. used against lightly armored vehicles), it is also used as a sniper rifle.
The current M6 variant has stronger parts, lower weight, and a shorter length due to its bullpup configuration, which make it also suitable for airborne troops.
“The GM6 is fantastic. It’s like going into battle carrying an artillery piece. The troops call it the Howitzer. It is an absolutely massive punch,” one special forces member told the Daily Mail.
The paper reports that Britain’s SAS (Special Air Service), SBS (Special Boat Service) and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment will have bought 150 such rifles at £9,000 (€10,435) apiece.
