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| caption = A standard FAL (50.00 model) produced by FN
| type = [[Battle rifle]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| service = 1953–present
| wars = See ''[[#Conflicts|Conflicts]]''
<!-- Production history -->
| designer = [[Dieudonné Saive]]
| number = 7,000,000<ref name=":4" />
| spec_label = FAL 50
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| origin = Belgium
| is_ranged = yes
<!-- Service history -->
| used_by = 90+ countries (See ''[[#Users|Users]]'')
| design_date = 1947–53
| manufacturer = * [[FN Herstal]]
* [[IMBEL]]
* [[Fabricaciones Militares]]
| production_date = 1953–present (Production stopped by FN Herstal in 1988)
| variants = See ''[[#Variants|Variants]]''
<!-- General specifications -->
| weight = {{cvt|4.25|kg|lb|}}
| part_length = {{cvt|533|mm|1}}
| cartridge = [[7.62×51mm NATO]]<br />[[.280 British]]<ref name="bishop1998">Bishop, Chris. ''Guns in Combat''. Chartwell Books, Inc (1998). {{ISBN|0-7858-0844-2}}. {{page needed|date=January 2019}}</ref><br />[[.280 British#Variants|7mm Liviano]]
| rate = 650–700 rounds/min
| velocity = {{cvt|840|m/s|1}}
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The '''FN FAL''' ({{lang-fr|Fusil Automatique Léger}}, English: Light Automatic Rifle) is a [[battle rifle]] designed in Belgium in 1953 by [[Dieudonné Saive]] and manufactured by [[FN Herstal]].
 
During the [[Cold War]] the FAL was adopted by many countries of the [[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO), with the notable exception of the United States. It is one of the most widely used rifles in history, having been used by more than 90 countries.<ref name="hogg2002">{{cite book |author-last1=Hogg |author-first1=Ian |editor1-link=Ian V. Hogg |year=2002 |title=Jane's Guns Recognition Guide |edition=1st |location=Glasgow |publisher=HarperCollins |pages=290 |url=https://archive.org/details/janesgunsrecogni00unse |isbn=000712760X}}</ref> It received the title "the right arm of the free world" from its adoption by many countries of self-proclaimed [[free world]] countries.<ref name="arifman">{{cite web|url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-fn-fal-right-arm-of-the-free-world/|title=The FN FAL: Right Arm Of The Free World|publisher=American Rifleman|access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> It is chambered in [[7.62×51mm NATO]], although originally designed for the [[Intermediate cartridge|intermediate]] [[.280 British]].

A Thelicense-built [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] variantversion of the FAL was redesignedproduced fromand FN'sadopted by the [[MetricUnited system|metricKingdom]] FALand intothroughout Britishthe [[imperialCommonwealth unitsof Nations|Commonwealth]] and was produced under license as the [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle]].
 
== History ==
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=== FN production variants ===
Depending on the variant and the country of adoption, the FAL was issued as either [[semi-automatic rifle|semi-automatic]] only or [[selective fire|select-fire]] (capable of both semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes).{{cn|date=November 2023}}▼
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2022}}
 
▲Depending on the variant and the country of adoption, the FAL was issued as either [[semi-automatic rifle|semi-automatic]] only or [[selective fire|select-fire]] (capable of both semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes).
 
==== LAR 50.41 & 50.42 (FAL HBAR & FALO) ====
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==== FAL 50.62 (FAL Type 3 Para 18) ====
Folding-stock, shorter 458457&nbsp;mm (18.03 inch) barrel, [[paratrooper]] version and folding stock.
 
==== FAL 50.63 (FAL Type 2 Para 16) ====
Folding-stock, shorter 436440&nbsp;mm (17.1635 inch) barrel, paratrooper version, folding charging handle. This shorter version was requested by Belgian paratroopers. The upper receiver was not cut for a carry handle, the charging handle on the 50.63 was a folding model similar to the L1A1 rifles, which allowed the folded-stock rifle to fit through the doorway of their [[C-119 Flying Boxcar]] when worn horizontally across the chest.
 
==== FAL 50.64 (FAL Para 3) ====
Folding-stock, standard 533&nbsp;mm (21.0&nbsp;in) barrel length, '[[Hiduminium]]' aluminium alloy lower receiver made it lighter than the 50.61, which was heavier than 50.00.
 
==== Early prototypes ====
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Early versions of the DSA FAL included a 4140 billet upper receiver, machined from a 19-pound block of 4140 steel, and a lower receiver milled from a block of 7075 T6 aircraft grade aluminum.<ref name="GunsMagAug02">GunsMagazine.com, August 2002</ref> The barrels were provided by Badger and were double stress relieved, cryogenically treated, and had an 11 degree target crown. These barrels featured broach cut rifling, were lapped by hand, and made from 4140 carbon steel. Barrel twist was 1:11. Rifles produced during the [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban]] from 1994 to 2004 included integrally machined muzzle brakes that served to reduce muzzle rise and recoil.<ref name="GunsMagAug02"/> Further more, these muzzle brakes added additional length to barrels to achieve the 16.5 inches that would otherwise have been considered [[short-barreled rifle]]s under the [[National Firearms Act]]. As such, DSA FAL barrels that were effectively ~14 inches, could be legally considered 16.5 inches due to the integral muzzle brakes.
 
=== SC-2010 Hi-Power Modular Weapon System===
A [[Peru|Peruvian]] derivative of the FAL designed by the Diseños Casanave Corporation in 2010. Like the FAL, it uses standard 20-round box magazines with the same 7.62×51mm caliber ammo.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/FN_FAL |title= FN FAL and its variants}}</ref>
 
== Military adoption ==
<!-- This section is linked from FN FAL -->
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
{{See also|L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle#Production_and_useProduction and use}}
[[File:Soldadosargesperandodesembarco.jpg|thumb|right|Argentine soldiers armed with FAL during the Falklands War (1982).]]
 
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[[File:Two Argentina soldiers with FN FAL.jpg|thumb|Argentine soldiers with FAL rifles.]]
 
Argentine FALs saw action during the [[Falklands War]], and in different peacekeeping operations such as in Cyprus and the former Yugoslavia. Argentine FALs are known to have been exported to Bolivia (in 1971),<ref name=":0">{{harvnb|Cashner|2013|p=18}}</ref> Colombia,<ref name=":0" /> Croatia (during the [[wars in former Yugoslavia]] during the 1990s), Honduras,<ref name=":0" /> Peru,<ref name=":0" /> and Uruguay.<ref name=":0" />
 
=== Brazil ===
Along with the IA2, MD-2 and MD-3 assault rifles, Brazil produces the M964A1/Pelopes (Special Operations Platoon), with ana 1116.5" barrel, 3-point sling and a [[Picatinny rail]] with a [[tactical flashlight]] and sight.<ref>BASTOS, Carlos Stephani. [http://www.ecsbdefesa.com.br/defesa/fts/FAL.pdf FAL M964A1/Pelopes 7,62: Aproveitando melhor o que se tem] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012151728/http://www.ecsbdefesa.com.br/defesa/fts/FAL.pdf |date=2016-10-12 }} (in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]). [[Federal University of Juiz de Fora]].</ref>
 
Brazilian Army officially used the FAP (''Fuzil Automático Pesado'', or heavy automatic rifle) as its squad automatic weapon until 2013/2014, when the [[FN Minimi]] was adopted to replace it. The Marine Corps and Air Force also adopted the Minimi to replace the FAP.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.defesanet.com.br/armas/noticia/12737/FN-MINIMI-%E2%80%93-EB-aposenta-o-FAP-e-adota-a--FN-Mini-Mitrailleuse/|title=FN MINIMI – EB aposenta o FAP e adota a FN Mini Mitrailleuse|date=2013-10-20|access-date=2016-10-11|via=DefesaNet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012225501/http://www.defesanet.com.br/armas/noticia/12737/FN-MINIMI-%E2%80%93-EB-aposenta-o-FAP-e-adota-a--FN-Mini-Mitrailleuse/|archive-date=2016-10-12|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Transposição do Rio Santa Maria - RS (9919223523).jpg|thumb|[[Brazilian Army]] conscripts using the FAL in [[Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul|Santa Maria]], [[Rio Grande do Sul]].]]
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After the [[Operation Overlord|Normandy landings]], the Germans stripped the FN factories of everything useful and sent it back to augment German industries, destroying what they couldn't carry.<ref name=":9" /> FN tried to recoup its losses immediately after liberation near the end of 1944 by refurbishing Allied weapons and producing cheap, easily produced spare parts such as tank tracks.<ref name=":9" /> To make matters worse, the Germans tried to destroy the FN factory with [[V-1 flying bomb|V1 flying bombs]], achieving two direct hits.<ref name=":9" /> The memories of the Nazi occupation were still far too fresh in 1956.<ref name=":9" />
 
Based on political and economical considerations, but also national pride,<ref name=":10">{{harvnb|Cashner|2013|p=17}}</ref> the Germans aimed at a weapon they could produce domestically and turned their sights to the Spanish [[CETME rifle|CETME Modelo 58]] rifle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Europe|url=http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/weapons/index.php/tour-by-region/europe/europe/firearm-379/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427012535/http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/weapons/index.php/tour-by-region/europe/europe/firearm-379/index.html|archive-date=2017-04-27|access-date=2017-06-26|website=web.prm.ox.ac.uk}}</ref> Working with the Germans, the Spanish adopted the 7.62x51mm62×51mm NATO cartridge, and a slightly modified version of the CETME went on to be manufactured in [[West Germany]] by [[Heckler & Koch]] (H&K) as the [[Heckler & Koch G3|G3]] rifle, beginning production in 1959. The G3 would become the second most popular battle rifle in the Free World, "used by some 50 nations and license-manufactured in a dozen".<ref name=":10" /> Without the G3, the FAL may have completely dominated the militaries of the West during the Cold War.<ref name=":10" />
 
The G1 featured a pressed metal handguard identical to the ones used on the Austrian Stg. 58, as well as the Dutch and Greek FALs, this being slightly slimmer than the standard wood or plastic handguards, and featuring horizontal lines running almost their entire length. G1s were also fitted with a unique removable prong flash hider, adding another external distinction. Of note is the fact that the G1 was the first FAL variant with the 3&nbsp;mm lower sights specifically requested by Germany, previous versions having the taller Commonwealth-type sights also seen on Israeli models. The German FAL had access to high quality Hensoldt Optische Werk F-series scopes with Zeiss-equivalent optics; having 4x magnification, with a 24&nbsp;mm (0.94&nbsp;in) objective lens.<ref>{{harvnb|Cashner|2013|p=29}}</ref>
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Initially, Israel manufactured a copy of the [[ENERGA anti-tank rifle grenade|Energa]] [[rifle grenade]], that would be surpassed by more recent designs still in production.<ref name=":7">{{harvnb|Cashner|2013|p=49}}</ref> Of particular note is the [[BT/AT 52]],<ref name=":7" /> an IMI version of the BT rifle grenade derived from the earlier MA/AT 52 model. It can be fired both from 5.56mm and 7.62mm weapons, which share the same-diameter muzzle device, with a maximum range of 300&nbsp;m (328yd) from 7.62mm guns. The BT/AT 52 is often seen in photographs with the FAL.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bukvoed.livejournal.com/274610.html?thread=2172850 |title=Images of Israeli use of rifle grenades from 1956 onwards|date = 24 October 2014| access-date = 22 April 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923155340/https://bukvoed.livejournal.com/274610.html?thread=2172850|archive-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>
 
The Israeli FAL first saw action in relatively small quantities during the [[Suez Crisis]] of 1956, being the standard -issue rifle in the [[Six-Day War]] in June 1967, the [[War of Attrition]] of 1967–1970. During the [[Yom Kippur War]] of October 1973, the FAL was still in front-line service as the standard Israeli rifle, though increasing criticism eventually led to the phasing-out of the weapon. Israeli forces were primarily mechanized in nature; the long, heavy FAL slowed deployment drills, and proved exceedingly difficult to maneuver within the confines of a vehicle.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2006 – Johannesburg – South African Military History Society – Title page|url=http://samilitaryhistory.org/6/06junnl.html|access-date=2022-10-01|website=samilitaryhistory.org|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509100608/http://samilitaryhistory.org/6/06junnl.html|archive-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Performer1">Bodinson, Holt, "Century's Golani Sporter: The Israeli-designed AK Hybrid is a Solid Performer", ''[[Guns (magazine)|Guns]]'', July 2007</ref> Additionally, Israeli forces experienced occasional jamming of the FAL due to heavy sand and dust ingress endemic to Middle Eastern desert warfare.<ref name=":8"/>
 
With the soldiers traveling in open-topped halftracks in fast-paced operations, with tank tracks filling the air with clouds of dust filled with fine grit, soldiers would jump from the half-tracks to hit the sand, finding the rifles filthy at the moment of contact.<ref name=":8">{{harvnb|Cashner|2013|p=50}}</ref> In such lightning-fast mobile warfare, the men would hardly have time to eat, sleep or clean their rifles.<ref name=":8" /><ref name="Performer1" /> Though the IDF evaluated a few modified FAL rifles with 'sand clearance' slots in the bolt carrier and receiver (which were already part of the Commonwealth L1A1/C1A1 design), malfunction rates did not significantly improve.<ref name="Magazine1">"Weapons Wizard Israeli Galili", ''[[Soldier of Fortune (magazine)|Soldier of Fortune]]'', March 1982</ref> The Israeli FAL was eventually replaced from 1972 onwards<ref name=":1" /> by the [[M16 rifle|M16]] and in 1974 by the [[IMI Galil|Galil]].<ref name="Performer1" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name="Magazine1" /> The FAL remained in production in Israel into the 1980s.<ref name=":0" />
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During the [[Rhodesian Bush War]], the Rhodesian Security Forces turned to a sympathetic [[South Africa]] as a major supplier of arms. South Africa already manufactured a metric-pattern FAL under licence as the R1, and transferred a number of these rifles to Rhodesia.{{sfn|Cashner|2013|p=43}} Rhodesia also acquired FAL variants illicitly on the international black market, including original FN rifles from Belgium<ref name="Impasse">{{cite book|title=A matter of weeks rather than months: The Impasse between Harold Wilson and Ian Smith: Sanctions, Aborted Settlements and War 1965–1969|last=Wood|first=J R T|date=April 2008|location=Victoria, British Columbia|publisher=Trafford Publishing|isbn=978-1-4251-4807-2|page=191}}</ref> and G1s from West Germany.{{sfn|Cashner|2013|p=43}} Many of the FAL derivatives in Rhodesian service were fitted with custom [[flash suppressor]]s to reduce recoil on fully automatic fire.<ref name="Fireforce" />
 
The heavy Rhodesian emphasis on individual marksmanship and the ballistic qualities of the 7.62x51mm62×51mm round often allowed outnumbered Rhodesian patrols to fight their way through larger groups of insurgents from the [[Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army]] (ZANLA) or [[Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army]] (ZIPRA), both of which were equipped primarily with Kalashnikov-pattern automatic rifles such as the [[AK-47]] and [[AKM]].{{sfn|Cashner|2013|p=46}} Rhodesian troops were trained to fire directly into the insurgents' cover whenever an ambush was encountered, shooting their FALs in bursts that were deliberately aimed low and graduating their fire upwards.{{sfn|Cashner|2013|p=46}} Their 7.62x51mm62×51mm ammunition could penetrate thick bush and tree trunks more readily than the [[7.62x39mm62×39mm]] cartridge used in the AK-47, and was more successful at killing the enemy combatants in cover.{{sfn|Cashner|2013|p=46}}
 
Following [[1980 Southern Rhodesian general election|general elections in 1980]] which brought the former insurgent leadership to power, the country finally achieved internationally recognised independence as [[Zimbabwe]], and the Rhodesian Security Forces were amalgamated with ZANLA and ZIPRA.<ref name="zimstudy">{{citation |last=Nelson |first=Harold |title=Zimbabwe: a country study |publisher=The American University (Washington, D.C.) |year=1983 |isbn=0-16-001598-7}}</ref> As the Zimbabwean government had inherited vast stockpiles of 7.62x51mm62×51mm ammunition from the Rhodesian era, it initially ordered the insurgents' small arms to be placed into reserve storage and confirmed the FAL as the standard service rifle of the new [[Zimbabwe Defence Forces]] (ZDF).<ref name="zimstudy" /> However, a successful sabotage action carried out against the preexisting stockpiles of 7.62x51mm62×51mm ammunition, possibly by disgruntled Rhodesian service members or South African special forces, negated this factor.<ref name="zimstudy" /> The ZDF responded by bringing the insurgent weapons out of storage to complement the FAL, and gradually phased out the weapon type in favour of Kalashnikov rifles to simplify maintenance and logistics.<ref name="zimstudy" />
 
=== South Africa ===
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=== United States ===
{{Main|T48 rifle}}
 
[[File:Century Arms FN FAL.jpg|thumb|[[Century International Arms|Century Arms]] FAL rifle built from an [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|L1A1]] parts kit.]]
 
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=== Venezuela ===
Venezuela placed an order for 5,000 FN-made FAL rifles in 1954, in the 7x497×49.15mm Optimum 2 caliber.<ref name=":0" /> This [[.280 British#Variants|7×49mm]], also known as 7&nbsp;mm Liviano or 7&nbsp;mm Venezuelan, is essentially a [[7×57mm]] round shortened to intermediate length and closer to being a true intermediate round than the 7.62x51mm62×51mm NATO.<ref name=":0" /> This unusual caliber was jointly developed by Venezuelan and Belgian engineers motivated by a global move towards intermediate calibers. The Venezuelans, who had been exclusively using the 7×57mm round in their light and medium weapons since the turn of the 20th century, felt it was a perfect platform on which to base a calibre tailored to the particular rigours of the Venezuelan terrain. Eventually the plan was dropped despite having ordered millions of rounds and thousands of weapons on this caliber. As the Cold War escalated, the military command felt it necessary to align with NATO on geopolitical grounds despite not being a member, resulting in the adoption of the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. The 5,000 rifles of the first batch were rebarrelled to 7.62×51mm.<ref name=":0" />
 
When marching victoriously into Havana in 1959, Fidel Castro was carrying an FN-made Venezuelan FAL in 7&nbsp;mm Liviano.<ref name=":3" />
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* {{flag|Honduras}}<ref name="jones2009" />{{page needed|date=April 2022}}
* {{flag|India}}: License-produced copy of the UK [[7.62×51mm NATO|7.62 mm]] [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|L1A1]] variant, still in use by some [[Police]] Units.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rifle 7.62mm 1A1|url=https://ofb.gov.in/unit/pages/OFT/7-62mm-1a1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223140408/https://ofb.gov.in/unit/pages/OFT/7-62mm-1a1|archive-date=2020-02-23|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=OFB 7.62 mm 1A1 and 1C rifles (India), Rifles|url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/OFB-7-62-mm-1A1-and-1C-rifles-India.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128022656/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/OFB-7-62-mm-1A1-and-1C-rifles-India.html|archive-date=2013-01-28|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Indonesia}}: Used by [[Indonesian Marine Corps|KKO]], now used aboard naval vessels for [[line thrower]]s.<ref>{{cite web|date=12 July 2021|title=Di Laut Mediterania Kri Sultan Iskandar Muda Latihan Bersama Kapal Perang Jerman|url=https://koarmada2.tnial.mil.id/2021/07/12/di-laut-mediterania-kri-sultan-iskandar-muda-latihan-bersama-kapal-perang-jerman/|access-date=21 September 2021|website=koarmada2.tnial.mil.id|language=ID|archive-date=1 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801050409/https://koarmada2.tnial.mil.id/2021/07/12/di-laut-mediterania-kri-sultan-iskandar-muda-latihan-bersama-kapal-perang-jerman/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=27 May 2020|title=Asah Profesionalisme, KRI Sultan Hasanuddin-366 Laksanakan Latihan Mailbag Transfer|url=https://tni.mil.id/view-178330-asah-profesionalisme-kri-sultan-hasanuddin-366-laksanakan-latihan-mailbag-transfer.html|access-date=21 September 2021|website=tni.mil.id|language=ID}}</ref>
* {{flag|Israel}}: FN-made and locally made under license by Israel Military Industries in FAL and FALO versions. Known locally as the Romat.<ref name=":1" />
* {{flag|Iraq}}: [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–11)|Iraqi insurgents]]{{sfn|Small Arms Survey 2012|p=320}}
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* {{flag|Morocco}}<ref name="jones2009" />{{page needed|date=April 2022}}
* {{flag|Mozambique}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Myanmar}}:<ref name="jones2009" /> usedUsed surplus ex-German G1s<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The military rifle cartridges of Burma/Myanmar|first=Paul|last=Scarlata|magazine=[[Shotgun News]]|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+military+rifle+cartridges+of+Burma%2FMyanmar.-a0288876068|date=May 2012|access-date=2018-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075329/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+military+rifle+cartridges+of+Burma%2FMyanmar.-a0288876068|archive-date=2018-11-28|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Nepal}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Nigeria}}:<ref name="jones2009" /> Licensed by DICON (Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria) in Nigeria as the ''NR-1''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/portal/issueareas/producers/Producers_pdf/2007_Production.pdf |title=Licensed and unlicensed production of FN Herstal products, to August 2006 |publisher=Small Arms Survey |access-date=2010-04-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705100331/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/portal/issueareas/producers/Producers_pdf/2007_Production.pdf |archive-date=2010-07-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-9464.html|title=Nigeria – Arms Procurement and Defense Industries|access-date=2010-04-10|date=June 1991|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207111406/http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-9464.html|archive-date=2008-12-07|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2004/0407/24_2910.html|title=DOSSIER – The Question of Arms in Africa|access-date=2010-04-10|publisher=Agenzia Fides|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318112305/http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2004/0407/24_2910.html|archive-date=2009-03-18}}</ref><ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Niger}}<ref name="Tessières">{{Cite report|language = en|title = At the Crossroads of Sahelian Conflicts: Insecurity, Terrorism, and Arms Trafficking in Niger|author = Savannah de Tessières|isbn = 978-2-940548-48-4|publisher = [[Small Arms Survey]]|url = http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-SANA-Report-Niger.pdf|date = January 2018|page = 58|ref = {{harvid|de Tessières 2018 (Small Arms Survey)}}|access-date = 2018-06-05|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180612184751/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-SANA-Report-Niger.pdf|archive-date = 2018-06-12|url-status = dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Oman}}<ref name="jones2009" />
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* [[File:Flag of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.svg|23px|border]] [[Moro Islamic Liberation Front]]<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Lord's Resistance Army.svg}} [[Lord's Resistance Army]]<ref name ='SAS 2006 11'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2006.html|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2006/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2006-Chapter-11-EN.pdf|chapter=Fuelling Fear: The Lord's Resistance Army and Small Arms|title=Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2006|author=Small Arms Survey|page=283|isbn=978-0-19-929848-8|access-date=2018-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830005010/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2006.html|archive-date=2018-08-30|url-status=dead|author-link=Small Arms Survey}}</ref>
* {{flag[[File:Provisional Irish Republican Army Badge.svg|Ireland|name=20px]] [[Provisional Irish Republican Army}}]]: Used stolen [[Irish Army]] FALs and captured British L1A1 rifles,<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=The Rifles of the IRA {{!}} Magill |url=https://magill.ie/archive/rifles-ira |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=magill.ie|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023175255/https://magill.ie/archive/rifles-ira|archive-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref> a number were seized during a raid on the apartment of IRA members in Amsterdam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside The Ira - Weapons & Technology {{!}} The Ira & Sinn Fein {{!}} FRONTLINE {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/ira/inside/weapons.html |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=www.pbs.org|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128083007/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/ira/inside/weapons.html|archive-date=January 28, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Vanguarda Armada Revolucionária Palmares|Vanguarda Armada Revolucionaria Palmares]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-28 |title=1970: Oban afirma ter desbaratado a VAR-Palmares |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/banco-de-dados/2020/01/1970-oban-afirma-ter-desbaratado-a-var-palmares.shtml |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt-BR}}</ref>
* ex-Libyan FALs can be traced to [[Algeria]], [[Chad]], [[Egypt]], [[Lebanon]], [[Niger]], [[Syria]] and [[Tunisia]]{{sfn|Jenzen-Jones |McCollum|2017|p=49}}
 
=== Former users ===
* {{flag|Austria}}: Produced under license. StG 58 variants used by the [[Austrian Federal Army|Austrian Army]] from 1958 until 1977.{{cn|date=November 2023}} Replaced by [[Steyr AUG]].<ref name="worldpolicy2000" />{{dead|date=November 2023}}
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Used by the [[Belgian Army]] from 1956 until 1995. Replaced by [[FN FNC]].<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Botswana}}<ref name="jones2009" />: Being replaced as of 2017 with the [[SAR 21]].<ref name="NMAA">{{cite web|first1=Jeremy |last1=Binnie|first2=Erwan|last2= de Cherisey|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622123315/http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf|title= New-model African armies|publisher= Jane's|date= 2017|archive-date= 22 June 2017|url=http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf}}</ref><ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Canada}}: The FN FAL was the first semi-automatic rifle adopted by the Canadian Army, seeing service as the FN C1A1 (“C1”) and FN C2A1 (“C2”) (a heavy barrel, selectable semi-/fully- automatic variant with folding, bi-pod forestock), between 1955 and 1990. Canada was the first NATO country to adopt the FN FAL. The C1 and C2 were manufactured in Canada under licence from Fabrique Nationale by Canadian Arsenals Limited (Toronto, Ont.). Between 80,000 and 90,000 were produced, of which 72,470 were contracted to the Canadian [[Department of National Defence (Canada)|Department of National Defence]].<ref>{{cite web |title=FN C1 Self-Loading Rifle |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fn-c1-self-loading-rifle |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |publisher=Anthony Wilson-Smith |access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Chile}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Croatia}}: 70,000 FAL and FALO rifles supplied by Argentina during the [[Croatian War of Independence]],<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Defensa.com |date=2013-07-31 |title=Lo que Croacia se llevó de la Argentina - Noticias Defensa Documentos |url=https://www.defensa.com/reportajes/que-croacia-se-llevo-argentina |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=Defensa.com |language=es|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209150348/https://www.defensa.com/reportajes/que-croacia-se-llevo-argentina|archive-date=December 9, 2022}}</ref> often called "''Falovka''".{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}
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* {{flag|Israel}}: Produced under license as the 'lightened' ROMAT M1953. Used by the [[Israeli Army]] from 1955 until 1972. Officially replaced by [[IMI Galil]] and [[M16 rifle|M16]].<ref name="worldpolicy2000" />
* {{flag|Katanga}}<ref name="Katanga">{{cite book|title=Modern African Wars (4): The Congo 1960–2002|series=Men-at-Arms 492|first=Peter |last=Abbott |date=20 February 2014|isbn=978-1-78200-076-1|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|page=14}}</ref>
* {{flag|Lebanon}}: Adopted in 1956 as the standard rifle of the [[Lebanese army]]<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Military rifle cartridges of Lebanon Part 2: from independence to Hezbollah. - Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Military+rifle+cartridges+of+Lebanon+Part+2:+from+independence+to...-a0203540052 |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424165621/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Military+rifle+cartridges+of+Lebanon+Part+2%3A+from+independence+to...-a0203540052|archive-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref>{{sfn|Jenzen-Jones|Spleeters|2015|p=20}}
* {{flag|Luxembourg}}:<ref name="jones2009" /> Used Belgian FALs from 1957 to 1996, replaced by [[Steyr AUG]].
* {{flag|Netherlands}}: The [[Royal Netherlands Army]] adopted the rifle with a bipod and in semi-automatic form, in 1961. In service it was called ''Het licht automatisch geweer'', but usually known as the 'FAL'. The rifles had unique sights (hooded at the front) and the German style sheet metal front handguard. A sniper version, ''Geweer Lange Afstand'', was also used standard with a scope of Dutch origin produced by the Artillerie Inrichtingen, and without the bipod. The scope was designated ''Kijker Richt Recht AI 62''. The heavy-barrel FAL 50.42 version was also adopted later as a squad automatic weapon as the ''Het zwaar automatisch geweer''.<ref>Ezell, 1988, p. 276</ref>
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* {{flag|Rhodesia}}: Bought as surplus from Germany and South Africa, because of trade embargo in the country in the 1960s and 1970s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+military+rifle+cartridges+of+Rhodesia+Zimbabwe%3A+from+Cecil+Rhodes...-a0234316416 |title=The military rifle cartridges of Rhodesia Zimbabwe: from Cecil Rhodes to Robert Mugabe. |access-date=14 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113191848/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+military+rifle+cartridges+of+Rhodesia+Zimbabwe%3A+from+Cecil+Rhodes...-a0234316416 |archive-date=13 November 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{Flag|South Africa|1928}}
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: usedUsed some Belgian-made FN FALs.{{sfn|Cashner|2013|p=15}}
* {{flag|West Germany}}: Used by the [[German Army]] from 1956 until the early 1960s. Replaced by the [[Heckler & Koch G3]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://world.guns.ru/assault/as24f-e.htm|title=Современное стрелковое оружие мира - Автоматы и штурмовые винтовки|access-date=14 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117172148/http://world.guns.ru/assault/as24f-e.htm|archive-date=17 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
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* [[Congo Crisis]] (1960–1965){{sfn|Cashner|2013|pp=41-42}}
* [[Portuguese Colonial War]] (1961–1974){{sfn|Cashner|2013|p=46}}
* [[Eritrean War of Independence]] (1961–1991)
* [[Bay of Pigs Invasion]] (1961)<ref name="bishop1998" />
* [[Araguaia Guerrilla War]] (1966–1975)<ref>{{Cite web |title=A GUERRILHA DO ARAGUAIA: A LUTA ARMADA NO CAMPO E SUAS CONSEQUÊNCIAS HISTÓRICAS - Brasil Escola |url=https://monografias.brasilescola.uol.com.br/sociologia/a-guerrilha-araguaia-luta-armada-no-campo-suas-consequencias-historicas.htm |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=Monografias Brasil Escola |language=pt-br|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023140218/https://monografias.brasilescola.uol.com.br/sociologia/a-guerrilha-araguaia-luta-armada-no-campo-suas-consequencias-historicas.htm|archive-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref>
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* [[Yom Kippur War]] (1973){{sfn|Cashner|2013|p=47}}
* [[Turkish Invasion of Cyprus|Cyprus Peace Operation (Invasion of Cyprus) (1974)]]
* [[Ethiopian Civil War]] (1974–1991)
*[[Operation Independence]] (1975–1977)
* [[Lebanese Civil War]] (1975–1990)<ref name=":13" /><ref>Jureidini, McLaurin, and Price, ''Military operations in selected Lebanese built-up areas'' (1979), Appendix A, table A-8.</ref><ref>Jenzen-Jones & Spleeters, ''Identifying & Tracing the FN Herstal FAL Rifle: Documenting signs of diversion in Syria and beyond'' (2015), pp. 20-21.</ref>
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[[File:Eastern Caribbean FAL.JPEG|thumb|Members of the [[Caribbean Peace Force|Eastern Caribbean Defense Force]] in [[United States invasion of Grenada|Operation Urgent Fury]] are armed with FN FAL rifles.]]
 
* [[Iran–Iraq War|Iran-Iraq War]] (1980–1988)
* [[Falklands War]] (1982)<ref name="bishop1998" />
* [[Bougainville Civil Warconflict]] (1988–1998)<ref name="a">{{cite AV media |people=Dom Rotheroe (Director)|title=[[The Coconut Revolution]] |date=2001|type=Documentary|publisher=Stampede|time=16:47}}</ref>
* [[1989 attack on La Tablada barracks]]
 
=== 1990s ===
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=== 2020s ===
* [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="ukrfal"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian military received FN FAL PARA rifles |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/ukrainian-military-received-fn-fal-para-rifles/ |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=Militarnyi |language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130054926/https://mil.in.ua/en/news/ukrainian-military-received-fn-fal-para-rifles/|archive-date=January 30, 2023}}</ref>
* [[2023 Israel–Hamas war|Israel–Hamas war (2023)]]
* [[Sudanese civil war (2023–present)]]
 
== See also ==
* [[List of battle rifles]]
* [[Desarrollos Industriales Casanave SC-2005]], the Peruvian pattern upgrade of the FAL
* [[List of 7.62×51mm NATO firearms]]
* [[FN Model 1949|FN-49]], predecessor to the FAL
* [[FN CAL]], an unsuccessful FN 5.56mm NATO assault rifle that externally resembles the FAL
* [[Heckler & Koch G3]], a German 7.62 battle rifle designed in the 1950s
* [[KAL1Armalite generalAR-16]], purposean infantryAmerican 7.62 battle rifle]]
* [[KAL1 general purpose infantry rifle]], an Australian bullpup conversion
* [[Howa Type 64]]
* [[IMBEL MD97]]
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* Ezell, Clinton. ''Small Arms of the World'', Stackpole Books, 1983.
* Hellenic Army General Staff / Army History Directorate (Γενικό Επιτελείο Στρατού / Διεύθυνση Ιστορίας Στρατού) {{in lang|el}}. "The Armament of Greek Army 1868–2000" ("Οπλισμός Ελληνικού Στρατού 1868 2000"), Athens, Greece, 2000.
* {{Cite book |last1=Jenzen-Jones |first1=N. R. |last2=Spleeters |first2=Damien |date=August 2015 |title=Identifying & Tracing the FN Herstal FAL Rifle: Documenting Signs of Diversion in Syria and Beyond |url=http://armamentresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ARES-Field-Guide-No.-1-Identifying-Tracing-the-FN-Herstal-FAL-Rifle.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320155013/http://armamentresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ARES-Field-Guide-No.-1-Identifying-Tracing-the-FN-Herstal-FAL-Rifle.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-20 |url-status=live |location=Churchlands, West Australia |publisher=[[Armament Research Services]] Pty. Ltd. |isbn=978-0-9924624-6-8 |page=7}}
* Pikula, Maj. Sam. ''The Armalite AR-10'', 1998.
* Sazanidis, Christos (1995). ''Arms of the Greeks'' (''Τα όπλα των Ελλήνων'') {{in lang|el}}. Thessaloniki, Greece: Maiandros (Μαίανδρος). {{ISBN|978-960-90213-0-2}}.
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