Australian Army F-89 (C-9) LMG pouch covered in Australian camoflauge material. This box holds the 5.56mm linked ammunition belts. It closes by means of a zipper. The zipper tag is broken. The Minimi (short for French: Mini Mitrailleuse; "mini machine gun") is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of more than 45 countries. The weapon is currently manufactured at the FN facility in Herstal and their US subsidiary FN Manufacturing LLC. In Australia, the Minimi is designated the F-89. It is manufactured by Thales Australia. The longer flash suppressor of the FN MAG is used to enhance accuracy. The 7.62 mm model is known as the Maximi. The Minimi is a light machine gun firing from an open bolt. The weapon is primarily chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO, though a 7.62×51mm NATO variant exists. It is an air-cooled weapon, capable of fully automatic fire only. It can be belt fed or fired from a magazine.