English: A soldier from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, is pictured with his L85 A2 rifle fitted with a new lightweight polymer magazine.

Troops fighting in Afghanistan are now using new, lightweight see-through magazines for the SA80 rifle, further reducing the weight of their kit, the MOD announced today.

Made from a lightweight plastic, the 30-round Magpul EMAG magazine is around half the weight of a standard metal magazine, yet even more robust. More than 100,000 have already been delivered to troops on operations and in total over a million will be sent to Afghanistan under the four year, £13 million contract with Hereford-based distributors Level Peaks Associations.

A clear window in the magazine allows troops to easily monitor how much ammunition they have left, helping them ensure they have sufficient levels at critical points in battle.

The EMAG’s durability is further enhanced by an easily detachable cover to help protect against dust and sand while the magazine is being carried – meaning fewer need replacing.

• Organization: ARMY
• Object Name: 16x-2011-TFH-006-014
• Category: ARM
• Supplemental Categories: Afghanistan, Equipment, Weapons, Guns, Personnel, Infantry
• Keywords: 16 Air Assault Brigade, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, Helmand Province, Lashkar Gah, Op HERRICK 13, Task Force Helmand, Army, Personnel, Identifiable, Soldier, Male, Man, Operation, Op, Campaign, Herrick, Afganistan, Helmand, Equipment, Weapon, Gun, Firearm, Small Arms, Assault Rifle, L85, SA80, A2, SA 80, SA-80, Polymer, Magazine, MagPul, Lightweight
• Country: Afghanistan