The Fusil Automatique Leger (FAL) or Light Automatic Rifle (LAR) manufactured by Fabrique National, was originally designed to fire the 7.92mm Kurz cartridge developed by the Germans in World War II. However, post-war pressure for a more powerful cartridge produced the compromise 7.62mm x 51 (.308 Winchester), which could easily be manufactured on machines producing the .30 caliber service cartridge. The new more powerful round was selected as the NATO standard.

FN rebuilt their rifle to fit the new cartridge and created what is possibly the classic post-war battle rifle. Tough, reliable, and accurate, the new design promptly cornered the market, selling to armed forces in more than 90 countries around the world including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, India, Israel, Libya, Peru, Singapore and the UK. All FALs share the reliability that solid construction and attention to detail creates. Most are also capable of automatic fire.