Lewis Machine and Tool Company (LMT) has confirmed the commencement of deliveries of new rifles to the Estonian Armed Forces.

The models that were selected as the new service rifles were the LMT 5.56x45mm MARS and the 7.62x51mm MARS-H carbines. The MARS-L model will go to Estonian soldiers with two barrel length variants - 12 and 14.3 inches. As can be seen below from the poster posted by the company, Estonia will also purchase a batch of 40mm M203 underbarrel grenade launchers.

The MARS (Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System) series of rifles were developed and delivered to New Zealand in 2014 under a contract for a new service rifle for the armed forces of that country. The MARS platform is fully "double-sided", the magazine release, the safety/selector switch and the magazine release are on both sides. The charging handle allows to charge the weapon by right and left-handed shooters.

In addition, the rifles for Estonia are equipped with a single-position piston system, a bayonet mount and a "European" style trigger that allows the operator to secure the rifle also when the weapon is not cocked, unlike most overseas designs that can only be secured when cocked. In addition, Estonian weapons will have wireless shot counters installed in pistol grips.

Sources: thefirearmblog.com,prnewswire.com