FN F2000
FN Herstal · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2001
Also known as: FS2000, F2000 Tactical, F2000S
Overview
The FN F2000 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by FN Herstal since 2001.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 694 mm (27.32") |
| Barrel Length | 400 mm (15.75") |
| Height | 280 mm (11.02") |
| Width | 75 mm (2.95") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2953 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1620 J (1195 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56mm NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Bullpup Configuration, Forward Ejection System, Fully Ambidextrous, Integrated Optic Rail, Closed Bolt Firing, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Modular Fire Control Housing, Gl1 Grenade Launcher Compatible, Chrome Lined Bore
Variants
- FN F2000 Tactical — Rail Equipped
- FN F2000 Standard — Integrated Optic
- FN FS2000 — Civilian Semi Auto
- FN F2000 with GL1 — Grenade Launcher
Service history
Operators
- Slovenian Armed Forces · adopted 2007 · as F2000
- Belgian Special Operations · as F2000
- Saudi Arabian National Guard · adopted 2005 · as F2000
- Pakistan Air Force Special Service Wing · as F2000
- Indian Special Protection Group · as F2000
- Chilean Army Special Forces · as F2000
- Peruvian Army Special Forces · as F2000
- Polish GROM · as F2000
- Spanish National Police GEO · as F2000
- Croatian Armed Forces · as F2000
- Ukrainian Armed Forces · adopted 2022 · as F2000
Conflicts
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-present)
- Saudi-led intervention in Yemen (2015-present)
- War on Terror (2001-present)
Production
Production years: 2001-present
Exact production numbers undisclosed. Slovenia acquired approximately 14,000 units. Limited adoption compared to other FN platforms; primarily issued to special operations and security forces worldwide.
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Notes
The F2000's most distinctive feature is its forward ejection system. Spent casings are guided through a channel above the barrel and collected temporarily before being pushed forward and ejected from a port above the muzzle. This allows the rifle to be fired from either shoulder without hot brass striking the shooter's face. The standard model includes an integrated 1.5x optical sight with a backup open sight, while the Tactical variant replaces the optic housing with a full-length Picatinny rail. The optional FN GL1 40mm grenade launcher can be mounted underneath without increasing overall length. Slovenia was the largest single adopter, purchasing approximately 14,000 rifles for its armed forces. Belgium donated F2000 rifles to Ukraine in 2022 following the Russian invasion. The civilian semi-automatic variant, the FS2000, was discontinued in 2012.
Background
The F2000 was FN Herstal's bold answer to the bullpup design's greatest weakness: brass ejection. While other bullpups like the AUG and FAMAS required reconfiguration to switch shoulders, the F2000's forward ejection system made it the first truly ambidextrous bullpup rifle, collecting spent casings in an overhead tube and dumping them out the front -- though critics joked it looked more like a prop from a science fiction film than a military weapon.