The standard issue rifles of the NATO Alliance have changed in design philosophy over recent years. In WW2 the first true assault rifle, the MP44 was developed when it was shown that the ranges at which infantry engaged targets was almost always closer than what the rifles were designed for. As a result rifle designers ever since then have been trending towards smaller rounds and lighter, more reliable infantry weapons. The greatest advance in rifle technology in recent years is the new German standard issue rifle...the G36 weapon system. More reliable, lighter, and with less recoil than it's modern countarparts, it's piston system pioneered by the Armalite AR-18 series(adopted, but misused on the British L85 system) is far supperior to the gas system of the AR-15 derived weapons.

Anouther change is that all NATO assault weapons, including the G36, and even the newer versions of the FA MAS, either are disigned for, or can be adapted to use M16 30 round magazines.

Here in the US the old M60 is being phased out in favor of the much more reliable M240 system from FN, who also makes the M249 5.56mm Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW).

NOTE: France droped out of the military portion of the NATO alliance many years ago over disagrements on colonial holdings. However they can be counted on to fight whenever there is a need. It seams the French people love a good fight as much as us Americans.