The Royal Marines have confirmed the selection of the SIG SAUER MCX rifle as part of an ongoing effort to modernize their elite UK Commando Force.
The MCX will be issued in both 300BLK and 5.56 NATO configurations and will feature the ROMEO-8T optic and JULIET magnifier from SIG SAUER.
According to a press release, the new rifle acquisition supports specialist operations, including counter-terrorism missions. More than 1,500 MCX rifles have been purchased by the Royal Navy, with assistance from Edgar Brothers, as part of a broader £6 million investment in the Commando Force’s equipment.
The MCX is tailored for the specialized counter-terrorism roles of the Commando Force, replacing rifles previously supplied by Colt Canada. It is also designed to complement the newly introduced Knights Armament Stoner 1 (KS-1) rifle, which was announced as the Commando Force’s general-use weapon in September 2023.
The adoption of the MCX represents another step in the transformation of the UK Commando Force, enhancing its ability to conduct special operations worldwide. Lieutenant Colonel Olly Osborne, part of the Commando Force Programme team, emphasized the significance of this investment:
“These rifles reinforce the commitment of the Navy and Defence to our transformation, and the value the Commando Force provides to our national and international security. This is an excellent period of investment in the force and provides great confidence through exceptional task-specific modern weaponry.”
The MCX was selected for its adaptability to a variety of extreme environments in which Commando Forces are expected to operate. To ensure its effectiveness, the system underwent rigorous testing, including force-on-force exercises and live-fire drills under operational conditions.
The weapon will be deployed with Commando Forces operating as part of the Royal Navy’s Littoral Response Groups. These units combine amphibious ships, aircraft, vehicles, and Commandos into a single, highly flexible force capable of executing global crisis response and special operations missions.
The MCX acquisition falls under the framework of Project Hay, named in honor of Ronnie Hay, a decorated Royal Marine fighter pilot of World War II. Hay was instrumental in daring raids on Nazi-occupied territory and is the only Royal Marines fighter ace. His service included key roles in the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain, the Mediterranean campaign, and the Pacific theatre, where he contributed to the assault on Okinawa.
Project Hay embodies Hay’s legacy by equipping today’s Royal Marines with cutting-edge capabilities. The program enabled extensive field testing, allowing Commando units to provide direct feedback on the MCX’s performance. This approach follows the precedent set by Project Hunter, which facilitated the selection of the KS-1 rifle.