FN FAL PARA rifles entered the service of the Ukrainian military.

A photo of Belgian rifles in Ukraine was released by analysts from War Noir.

The FN FAL rifles were manufactured by the Belgian firm Fabrique Nationale.

The history of the FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Leger) project began immediately after the end of World War II, when the main requirements for advanced small arms for the army were determined.

FN FAL has been widely used all over the world, there exists many different modifications in different countries.

There are 4 main models of the original rifle:

• FN FAL 50.00 – standard rifle;
• FN FAL 50.64 is a variant with a folding shoulder stock;
• FN FAL 50.63 (FN “Paratrooper”) – variant for airborne troops (shortened barrel and folding metal stock);
• FN FALO/FN FAL Hbar (FAL 50.41) is a light machine gun.

The Ukrainian military received these rifles in the FN FAL 50.61 version, which was developed on the basis of the FN FAL 50.00 for use by paratroopers.

The FN FAL 50.61 is a folding stock model with a 533mm barrel.

In most countries that acquired the license, the manufacturing of the Belgian-designed rifles ended several decades ago. The FN FAL had already given way to newer weapons.

Nevertheless, in a number of countries, the operation of these rifles continues, and Brazil keeps FN FAL’s manufacturing.

Such a long history and wide distribution make it possible to consider the FN FAL automatic rifle one of the best types of small arms of the last century.

Recall that the Ukrainian military also received Canadian Diemaco C7 assault rifles.