L98A2 Cadet General Purpose Rifle

The L98 Cadet General Purpose (GP) Rifle is used for weapons training by MOD-sponsored cadet organisations such as the Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps and Air Training Corps. The L98A1 version was introduced in 1987 to replace the .303 Lee–Enfield No 4 rifles and .303 Bren guns in the Army Cadet Force, which had not been replaced by the SLR owing to that weapon's weight and recoil being deemed as too much for young cadets. The GP Rifle had no such problems, and its suitability for cadet use was emphasised in official documentation. In the Air Training Corps it replaced the SLR which had been adopted and had replaced the Lee–Enfield No 4 rifles previously used.

It was similar to the L85A1 but lacked the gas components, instead being a manually operated, single-shot weapon, with a cocking handle extension piece mounted on the right side of the weapon for this purpose. It was also distinguishable by the absence of a flash eliminator and only being fitted with adjustable iron sights. The L98A1 rifle began a phased decommission in early 2009 in favour of the updated L98A2 version; this is virtually identical to the L85A2 rifle save for the absence of fully automatic capability and a plain foresight blade without a tritium insert.

Both Cadet GP Rifle variants also have a drill purpose version designated as the L103, used for teaching cadets the basics of the weapon they are handling and for rifle drill; this SA80 variant has been modified so as to render it a deactivated weapon and make subsequent reactivation uneconomical. It can be distinguished from live weapons by the use of a white cheek piece and handguard top cover, the bolt carrier assembly being painted red, and the letters 'DP' (Drill Purpose) being present towards the rear of the weapon.