Caracal CLMG 556 - The First Machine Gun Made In UAE

During my visit to IDEX 2025, I saw some very familiar weapons at the Caracal booth. Caracal is a design and manufacturing firm named after a unique cat that thrives in harsh environments. It seems like a very fitting name. Caracal specializes in small arms and is based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Caracal’s product portfolio includes pistols, submachine guns, assault rifles, and sniper rifles, with calibers ranging from 9mm to 12.7 mm. Caracal introduced its new LMG, the Caracal Light Machine Gun (CLMG 556), in 2023.

History of Caracal

With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Caracal became part of Tawazun in 2007, as the latter acquired the assets of Caracal International, the first national weapons manufacturer in the UAE.

The Tawazun Council is an independent government entity that collaborates closely with the UAE's Ministry of Defense and other security agencies. Caracal has established itself as a global defense company that serves law enforcement, security, and military markets.

Since its formation in 2019, the Edge Group has consolidated various state-owned defense entities, including Caracal, which has emerged as a leading firearms manufacturer in the region. Caracal's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, located at the Tawazun Industrial Park, employs additive manufacturing and CAD/CAM technologies as the foundation for its design and prototyping processes. Being a smaller organization allows Caracal to listen to and rapidly adjust to its customers' evolving mission requirements.

The CLMG 556

Chambered in 5.56 mm NATO, the CLMG 556 is based on the FN 5.56 mm Minimi and is notable for being the first machine gun developed in the UAE. However, it is unknown if it was produced under license from FN.

The CLMG 556 is a fully automatic, belt-fed light machine gun weighing approximately 17.19 lbs. (7.8 kg). It operates from an open bolt and is gas-operated with a long-stroke system similar to the Minimi. However, the dual feed feature has been removed, which is beneficial as it eliminates a potential failure point while reducing weight, complexity, and cost.

One of the first improvements I noticed was the updated safety feature, the original cross-bolt safety is replaced with a traditional lever safety. The previous design relied on a single spring to hold the safety in place; if that spring snapped from being worn out, the safety could fall out. Unfortunately, I have received several M249 returned without the safety. I observed that the CLMG 556 bipod is a significant improvement, as the M249 bipod has the loosest and noisiest features during any movement in the field. While the overall design is based mainly on FN's, elements of the handguard, pistol grip, and stock appear to be inspired by Heckler & Koch (HK). Unfortunately, we were not permitted to disassemble the CLMG 556 to inspect the weapon further.

The CLMG 556 includes a five-position telescopic adjustable stock with a shoulder stop and a three-position adjustable comb to better accommodate a wider variety of optics. It features an M1913 Picatinny rail for mounting optics on the feed tray cover. The bipod offers three adjustable height settings. The weapon is equipped with a hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel available in three lengths: 13 inches, 16 inches, and 18 inches (330 mm, 406 mm, and 457 mm), utilizing the standard FN barrel change mechanism. This provides a greater ability to adjust for different mission sets.

The gun is equipped with standard NATO pintle mounting points for use on vehicles or tripods. However, similar to the FN MK46, these features should have been removed from the design to reduce weight. For any application where gun mounting is necessary, it is recommended to use at least a 7.62x51mm or larger gun.

The weapon includes removable front and rear iron sights. The CLMG 556 is fed from 200-round ammunition boxes mounted on the gun, with a rate of fire between 700 and 950 rounds per minute.

Future Developments

Several promising developments are in progress. Caracal is currently working on a 12.7x99 mm NATO machine gun and is developing a conversion kit for its 7.62x51mm C817 designated marksman rifle to 6.8x51 mm.

The UAE has shifted its focus from importing arms to investing in research and development, establishing its own industrial and technological base, and building domestic capabilities. Additionally, its strategic geographical location offers advantageous access to critical market areas. The UAE also benefits from a strong financing system and streamlined processes for obtaining export licenses, further enhancing its competitive edge in the global market.

Sources:

• EDGE’s CARACAL Unveils New Light Machine Gun
• Tawazun acquires Caracal assets
• CLMG 556 En
• A Visit to Caracal: SADJ Tours Caracal’s UAE Headquarters – Small Arms Defense Journal
• EDGE Group: Military Contractors - Defence & Military Company UAE
• Inside EDGE - Caracal, small arms from the UAE - EDR Magazine
• UAE Transitions From Arms Importer to Competitor With the West • Stimson Center