The batch of 50 rifles will be delivered to the Brazilian Army’s Army Evaluation Center (CAEx) for extensive testing. The family of rifles is derived from the FN FAL which has been in Brazilian service for decades – manufactured by Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil (Brazilian Industry of War Materials – IMBEL).
In February of this year personnel from the Manufacturing Directorate of the Brazilian Army visited IMBEL’s factory to examine the first of the new rifles and look at the production facilities. The rifles were ordered under the Braziian Army’s Army Strategic Program, and while the testing of the first batch of 50 rifles is completed, it is planned for the rifles to begin full production, with the first delivery of 1,450 rifles planned.
thefirearmblog.com
The IA2 is essentially a modernization of the FN FAL with the same tilting block locking action, a re-dimensioned piston gas system and some other internal tweaks. The furniture is redesigned with a folding and telescoping polymer buttstock and a new forend with Picatinny rails at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock.