The Ground Self-Defense Force unveiled its new rifles and handguns to the press at the Defense Ministry on Monday. Rifles and handguns will be introduced in stages starting next fiscal year.
It is the first time in 31 years that a rifle has been updated since 1989. The new Type 20 rifle has a 5.56 millimeter caliber and weighs about 3.5 kilograms. One rifle costs about 280,000 yen.
As the Type 20 will be used to defend remote islands, the cover for the gun barrel has better drainage, making it less likely to rust compared to the current Type 89 rifle. In the next fiscal year, the new rifles will be used by the amphibious rapid deployment brigade, which is in charge of operations to recapture invaded remote islands.
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