That's not exactly true. The SA80 isn't exactly new. It was in use during the Falklands for example. And the British Army used a version of FN FALs before the S

That's not exactly true. The SA80 isn't exactly new. It was in use during the Falklands for example. And the British Army used a version of FN FALs before the SA80s were adopted, and those were also automatic rifles. Now, I'm pretty sure 'automatic' fire was burst limited. But that's pretty much nearly universally accepted as a good idea in main infantry rifles.