The Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre (French for 'National Factory of Weapons of War') was established in 1889 to manufacture 150,000 Mauser Model 89 rifles ordered by the Belgian government.

[3] The company was an important manufacturer of motor vehicles in Belgium, a development championed by Alexandre Galopin as managing director.

[7] In 1973, FN changed its name to reflect a diversified product line far beyond just military Small Arms and Firearms manufacturing, adopting the current name of Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal.

Established 1949 in Liers, it manufactured parts, and made and assembled complete engines under licence from British, French and US companies.

When four European countries, including Belgium, adopted the F-16 fighter in 1977, FN Herstal built an entirely new plant that made parts, assembled and tested the engines for these aircraft.