CETME L

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	Weapon: CETME L Type: Assault Rifle Country of Origin: Spain Year Adopted: 1980 Caliber: 5.56x45 NATO Action: Select Fire Overall Length (mm): 1000.0 Weight (kg): 3.00 Effective Range (m): 400

The CETME L is a Spanish 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle developed in the early 1980s by the Centro de Estudios Tecnicos de Materiales Especiales (CETME). Building on the legacy of earlier CETME rifles, the CETME L was designed to modernize Spain's infantry weapons, transitioning from the 7.62mm CETME C to a rifle chambered in the NATO-standard intermediate cartridge. The CETME L uses a roller-delayed blowback operating system, a hallmark of the CETME design lineage, and features a stamped steel receiver with a fixed polymer stock. Lightweight and compact, it was tailored to meet the needs of the Spanish Army for a reliable and affordable service rifle.

The CETME L entered production in the mid-1980s, with an estimated 100,000 units manufactured by Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara. It was officially adopted by the Spanish Armed Forces in 1987, replacing the CETME C as the standard-issue rifle. Despite its innovative features, the CETME L faced production and reliability challenges, particularly in adverse environmental conditions. Over time, these shortcomings led to dissatisfaction among its users, and by the early 2000s, the CETME L was replaced by the more modern Heckler & Koch G36, which offered improved performance and durability.

The CETME L is remembered for its role in Spain's transition to NATO-standard equipment during a period of modernization. While its service life was relatively short and marred by reliability issues, the CETME L has gained a degree of post-service notoriety among firearm enthusiasts and collectors. Surplus rifles have been refurbished and sold on the civilian market, where their distinctive design and historical significance have made them popular. Despite its flaws, the CETME L remains an important milestone in the evolution of Spanish small arms and a symbol of the country's efforts to align with NATO standards.