The first state to adopt the FNC was Indonesia, which purchased approximately 10,000 rifles in 1982 for its air force.

Slightly modified, it remains the main service rifle of the Swedish Armed Forces until replaced with automatkarbin 24.

The FNC was finally adopted by the Belgian Armed Forces in 1989, as a service-wide replacement for the 7.62×51mm NATO FN FAL, after having been issued in small numbers to airborne infantry units for several years.

Overall, the mechanism strongly resembles that of Kalashnikov rifles, but adapted to more advanced design and production methods.

The sheet-metal gas valve switch when pulled upright, acts as a V-notch sight used for aiming the rifle grenades.

The piston head and extension, as well as the gas port block, barrel bore and chamber, are hard-chrome plated to minimize the effects of propellant fouling.

These single-fire carbines feature a 410 mm (16.1 in) barrel and are also capable of firing rifle grenades and mounting a bayonet.

It was accepted into service in 1986 as the Ak 5 after extensive trials and receiving several modifications and replaced the 7.62mm Automatkarbin 4 (a licensed version of the Heckler & Koch G3).

[7] In Indonesia, a modified version of the FNC, produced under license as the Pindad SS1 with adaptations for jungle climate conditions, is used as the standard rifle of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.