Definition of Small Arms and Light Weapons

Small arms can be defined as infantry weapons that an individual soldier is able to carry on his own. These weapons include pistols, revolvers, submachine guns, shotguns, rifles, assault rifles, light machine guns and hand grenades. Light weapons, which require two or more soldiers to operate, consist of medium and heavy machine guns, smaller mortars, with caliber of less than 100mm, recoilless rifles, anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns and some rocket launchers.