Elements of the United Kingdom’s Royal Marines Commandos and Ranger battalions will soon be fielding a version of the Knights Armament KS-1. The €90-million agreement covers a 10-year period and could see the ally procuring as many as 10,000 of the guns.
“This is another example of how we are committed to investing in the most advanced battlefield equipment to back our troops on the battlefield,” said United Kingdom Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge. “This advanced rifle’s ability to help soldiers maintain the stealth edge that not only protects them but delivers war-fighting advantage over our adversaries.”
“Knights Armament Company is honored to be the supplier of the KS-1 rifle system to the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom in partnership with Edgar Brothers, Knight’s UK representative firm,” said C. Reed Knight Jr, Knights Armament owner and founder. “Gene Stoner was my friend and mentor, and I believe he would be proud to know that his innovative concept continues to uphold freedom in the hands of our Nation’s greatest ally.”
The rifles are chambered in 5.56 mm NATO. As issued they will wear 1x10 Vortex scopes, Aimpoint Acro P-2 micro-red-dot sights, Knights Rifle QDC/CRS-PRTs suppressors, a variety of Magpul parts—including magazine—and other components that met requirements originally published in a request for proposals issued by United Kingdom Defense Equipment & Support in 2021.
Officials expect the first rifles to arrive sometime in January. “Delivery of quality equipment such as we see today is a genuine increase in capability and capacity for the UK’s Commando Force Strike Teams and offers significant tactical advantage to the user,” said Captain Nick Unwin Royal Navy Commando Force Programme director.
Knights Armament, based in Titusville, FL, was established in 1984. Today the company offers a wide variety of firearms available for civilian purchase, as well as those designed for law enforcement and military, night vision and accessories.
