3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, on operation in Afghanistan, 2008

Digital photograph, Afghanistan, 2008.

The soldier carries a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). The Belgian-designed GPMG served as the British Army's main machine gun from the 1960s. Built under license in the United Kingdom, it can fire 750 7.62 mm rounds per minute and is used to provide heavy supporting fire. British troops nicknamed the weapon, the 'Gimpy'.