The FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Léger - Light Automatic Rifle) is one of the most famous and widespread military rifle. Because of its prevalence and widespread usage among the militaries of many NATO and first world countries during the Cold War, it received the title "The right arm of the Free World". It can be found in both, the 7.62x51mm and, very rarely, the 5.56x45mm NATO versions. The furniture may be wood, metal or plastic. There are various barrel lengths. In the UK (L1A1), Canadian, Indian and Netherland versions, there is no automatic fire mode. The gas system is fitted with gas regulator so it could be easily adjusted for various environment conditions, or cut off completely so rifle grenades could be safely launched from the barrel.
FN FAL
Silhouette (Visual Identification)
Category | Assault Rifles |
---|---|
Operating system | Gas operated, tilting breechblock, select-fire or semi-automatic only |
Cartridge | |
Length | 1100 mm |
Feeding | Box magazine |
Global distribution map
This map is a reflection of data on global distribution and production provided primarily by the BwVC. It is not exhaustive. If you would like to add to or amend the data, please click here.
Global distribution list
The data on global distribution and production is provided primarily by the BwVC, but also from national and regional focal points on SALW control; data published by think tanks, international organizations and experts; and/or data provided by individual researchers on SALW. It is not exhaustive. If you would like to add to or amend the data, please click here.
Symbol legend
Country of origin | |
Licensed production | |
Production without a licence |
G | Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by Governmental agencies. |
N | Non-Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by non-Governmental armed groups. |
U | Unspecified: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is found in the country, but do not specify whether it is held by Governmental agencies or non-Governmental armed groups. |
It is entirely possible to have a combination of tags beside each country. For example, if country X is tagged with a G and a U, it means that at least one source of data identifies Governmental agencies as holders of weapon type Y, and at least one other source confirms the presence of the weapon in country X without specifying who holds it.
Angola
(AGO)
|
G
|
|
Argentina
(ARG)
|
G
|
|
Australia
(AUS)
|
G
|
|
Austria
(AUT)
|
G
|
|
Bahrain
(BHR)
|
G
|
|
Bangladesh
(BGD)
|
G
|
|
Barbados
(BRB)
|
G
|
|
Belgium
(BEL)
|
G
|
|
Belize
(BLZ)
|
G
|
|
Bolivia
(BOL)
|
G
|
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina
(BIH)
|
G
|
|
Botswana
(BWA)
|
G
|
|
Brazil
(BRA)
|
G
|
|
Burundi
(BDI)
|
G
|
|
Cambodia
(KHM)
|
G
|
|
Cameroon
(CMR)
|
G
|
|
Canada
(CAN)
|
G
|
|
Central African Republic
(CAF)
|
N
|
|
Chad
(TCD)
|
G
|
|
Chile
(CHL)
|
G
|
|
Colombia
(COL)
|
G
|
|
Congo
(COG)
|
U
|
|
Costa Rica
(CRI)
|
G
|
|
Côte d’Ivoire
(CIV)
|
U
|
|
Croatia
(HRV)
|
G
|
|
Cuba
(CUB)
|
G
|
Cyprus
(CYP)
|
G
|
|
G
N
|
||
Djibouti
(DJI)
|
G
|
|
Dominican Republic
(DOM)
|
G
|
|
Ecuador
(ECU)
|
G
|
|
Fiji
(FJI)
|
G
|
|
Gabon
(GAB)
|
U
|
|
Germany
(DEU)
|
G
|
|
Ghana
(GHA)
|
G
|
|
Greece
(GRC)
|
G
|
|
Guyana
(GUY)
|
G
|
|
Honduras
(HND)
|
G
|
|
India
(IND)
|
G
|
|
Indonesia
(IDN)
|
G
|
|
Ireland
(IRL)
|
G
|
|
Israel
(ISR)
|
G
|
|
Jamaica
(JAM)
|
U
|
|
Jordan
(JOR)
|
U
|
|
Kenya
(KEN)
|
G
|
|
Kuwait
(KWT)
|
G
|
|
Lebanon
(LBN)
|
G
|
|
Liberia
(LBR)
|
G
|
|
Libya
(LBY)
|
G
|
|
Luxembourg
(LUX)
|
G
N
|
|
Malawi
(MWI)
|
G
|
Malaysia
(MYS)
|
G
|
|
Mali
(MLI)
|
N
|
|
Malta
(MLT)
|
G
|
|
Mauritania
(MRT)
|
N
|
|
Mauritius
(MUS)
|
G
|
|
Mexico
(MEX)
|
G
|
|
Morocco
(MAR)
|
G
|
|
Mozambique
(MOZ)
|
G
|
|
Myanmar/Burma
(MMR)
|
G
|
|
Nepal
(NPL)
|
G
|
|
Netherlands
(NLD)
|
G
|
|
New Zealand
(NZL)
|
G
|
|
Nigeria
(NGA)
|
G
|
|
Norway
(NOR)
|
G
|
|
Oman
(OMN)
|
G
|
|
Pakistan
(PAK)
|
G
|
|
Panama
(PAN)
|
G
|
|
Papua New Guinea
(PNG)
|
G
|
|
Paraguay
(PRY)
|
G
|
|
Peru
(PER)
|
G
|
|
Philippines
(PHL)
|
N
|
|
Portugal
(PRT)
|
G
|
|
Qatar
(QAT)
|
G
|
|
Rwanda
(RWA)
|
G
|
|
G
|
Saudi Arabia
(SAU)
|
G
|
|
Sierra Leone
(SLE)
|
G
|
|
Singapore
(SGP)
|
G
|
|
South Africa
(ZAF)
|
G
|
|
Sri Lanka
(LKA)
|
G
|
|
Sudan
(SDN)
|
G
|
|
Suriname
(SUR)
|
G
|
|
Swaziland
(SWZ)
|
G
|
|
Syria
(SYR)
|
G
N
|
|
Tanzania
(TZA)
|
G
|
|
Thailand
(THA)
|
G
|
|
The Gambia
(GMB)
|
G
|
|
Togo
(TGO)
|
G
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
(TTO)
|
U
|
|
Tunisia
(TUN)
|
G
|
|
Turkey
(TUR)
|
G
|
|
Uganda
(UGA)
|
G
|
|
United Arab Emirates
(ARE)
|
G
|
|
United Kingdom
(GBR)
|
G
|
|
United States
(USA)
|
U
|
|
Uruguay
(URY)
|
G
|
|
Venezuela
(VEN)
|
G
|
|
Yemen
(YEM)
|
G
|
|
Zambia
(ZMB)
|
G
|
|
Zimbabwe
(ZWE)
|
G
|
Visual Identification (Silhouette)
- Characteristics
- Markings