Secondary weapon

M1A1 Abrams with two of its three secondary weapons, a .50 (12.7 mm) caliber M2 BMG and a 7.62 mm M240 MG.

A secondary weapon is a weapon of a weapon carrier that supplements the primary weapon, whereby the weapon carrier can be a person, a multi-armed vehicle or a complex weapon system . Secondary weapons are used when the primary weapon fails (jam, ammunition has been used up), is too effective (gun use against individuals) or is too bulky (rifle in a building or an airplane).

For example, if soldiers or police officers have a rifle or a submachine gun as their primary weapon , the secondary weapon is usually a pistol. In main battle tanks, the gun used as the primary weapon is usually supplemented by one or more machine guns, which thus function as a secondary weapon.