This is a blog post I never thought I would write! Despite having the home field advantage, FN Herstal lost out on a contract to supply the Belgian Federal Police with pistols. Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm won the competition to replace the aging FN/Browning GP-35 (Hi-Power).

A Federale with his Steyr AUG

FNH, who have been laying off workers after losing contacts, are not happy. Lesoir.be reports (Translated Using Google) …

Guy Francis, Senior Associate FGTB Metal. Which shows bitter: “It’s a bit sad not to be a benchmark in our own country. The policy we already puts a spoke in the wheels for export licenses, if even now does not favor federal police in Belgium, where are we going to sell weapons? “ Gabriel SmaI, principal secretary to the CSC Metal Liège-Huy-Ware, “it is regrettable that the police do not equips a company owned 100% by the Walloon Region. This will particularly impact in terms of image. A bit like the Italian police were driving in a Renault Fiat rather than … “ Misplaced nationalism? This is the view of Vincent Gilles, national president of the SLFP-Police, for whom he had to choose the best weapon.

[ Many thanks to Famas for emailing me the link. ]