The British have budget troubles, I doubt there's any new standard rifle program that eluded my sight. They spent quite a lot on the upgrades a few years ago and the more special arms such as sniper rifles as well as the other infantry modernisation programs are already quite pricey.


Btw, a few years ago many SA-80 problems were officially explained as being the result of too long intervals between cleaning. You can even have jams in an AK if you don't clean it.