FAL (Fusil Automatique Leger - Light Automatic Rifle) or light automatic rifle. one of the most wide used battle rifles of the century. Developed by the Belgian Fabrique Nationale company, it was used by some 70 or even more countries, and was manufactured in at least 10 countries.

The FN FAL is a gas operated, selective fire or semi-automatic only, magazine fed rifle The safety - fire selector switch is located at the trigger housing, above the triggerguard. It can have two (on semi-automatic) or three (on select-fire rifles) positions, due to heavy recoil in full-auto mode, often was issued in semi-auto. Sights usually are of hooded post front and adjustable diopter rear types, but can differ in details and markings.

Almost all FAL rifles are equipped with sling swivels and most of rifles are fitted with bayonet lugs. By modern standards, one disadvantage of the FAL is the amount of work which goes into machining the complex bolt and bolt carrier. Additionally, the movement of the tilting bolt mechanism tends to return differently with each shot, affecting inherent accuracy of the weapon.