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.
Read more about this topic: Rheinmetall MG3