Rheinmetall MG3 - Users

Users

• Argentina: The MG3 was adopted in the 1960s.
• Australia: The MG3 was used between 1976 and 2007 as an anti-aircraft weapon on the Australian Army's Leopard AS1 MBT.
• Austria: Uses the MG 74 which is a MG 42/59 variant licensed from Beretta and manufactured by Steyr Mannlicher. The MG 74's cyclic rate of fire is 850 rounds per minute.
• Bangladesh: Used by the Bangladesh Rifles border guards.
• Brazil: Uses the MG3 and the MG3 A1 with the Leopard 1A5 BR
• Canada: Only used on 20 Leopard 2A6M CAN tanks acquired from Germany. Leopard 2s acquired from other sources will continue to use the FN MAG.
• Cape Verde
• Chile
• Denmark: MG 42/59 designated M/62 in Danish service.
• Estonia Designated as MG 3. MG 1A3 version with the anti-aircraft sight.
• Finland: As the 7.62 KK MG 3. Used with the Leopard 2 tanks and NH90 helicopters.
• Germany: Used by the Bundeswehr. A replacement is planned from 2011 onwards.
• Greece: License production by Hellenic Defense Systems or EAS (formerly Hellenic Arms Industry; Elliniki Biomihania Oplon - EBO).
• Iceland: Used by the Icelandic Coast Guard.
• Iran: License production by Defense Industries Organization as the MGA3.
• Italy: License production of the MG 42/59 by Beretta with parts made by Whitehead Motofides and Luigi Franchi; while largely replaced in squad support weapon role by the Belgian FN Minimi, it still sees widespread mounted use on ground-based vehicles and helicopters. Prior to the procurement of the Minimi, the Stabilimento Militare Armi Leggere (SMAL) at Terni has developed a kit to adapt the Italian Army's existing MG 42/59 machine guns to accommodate 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition. The kit comprises a new barrel, bolt head, feed opening and cover, recoil-enhancing element and a lighter bolt. The weight of the modified 5.56 mm MG 42/59 machine gun remains unchanged from the original version.
• Lithuania: Lithuanian Armed Forces.
• Mexico: License produced by SEDENA in Mexico.
• Morocco
• Myanmar
• Norway
• Pakistan: License production by Pakistan Ordnance Factories in Wah Cantt.
• Poland: Used on Leopard 2A4 tanks.
• Portugal
• Republic of China
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Spain: Made under license.
• Sudan: Made by Military Industry Corporation as the Karar.
• Sweden: As the KSP m/94. Used with the Leopard 2 tanks.
• Togo
• Turkey: Made by MKEK in Kırıkkale under license since 1974 for the Turkish Armed Forces and Turkish Gendarmerie.