According to the current schedule, the procurement decision on the new Bundeswehr assault rifle system is expected in the second quarter of 2020. On April 21, 2017, the Europe-wide tender for the G36 successor began. The Bundeswehr wants to procure around 120,000 assault rifles and related accessories. According to the original plan, the contracts should be concluded in the first half of 2019. The value of the order was initially estimated at 245 million euros.
Both the Bundeswehr and industry remain silent about potential applicants for understandable reasons under public procurement law. It is known that SIG Sauer (SIG MCX) and Rheinmetall/Steyr (RS556) did not take part in the selection process for various reasons. According to media reports, CG Haenel and Heckler & Koch are (in alphabetical order) on board. It is likely that Haenel will enter the race with the MK556 and Heckler & Koch with the HK416 and HK433.
In October 2018, it became known that none of the weapons submitted met the required criteria. The manufacturers were given a deadline of February 2019 for rework.
The tests of the improved weapons should be completed after modified planning in autumn 2019. As already mentioned, there is currently silence about the results. However, when asked, the BAAINBw informed ES&T that “according to the current schedule, a final procurement decision can be expected after the approval of the German Bundestag in the second quarter of 2020.”
Even if the BAAINBw has not explained whether one of the subsequently submitted assault rifles has successfully passed the demanding tests, the fact about the expected procurement decision in the second quarter of 2020 allows the conclusion that at least one of the weapons has met all the required criteria.
Jan-Phillipp Weisswange and Waldemar Geiger
Related topics
Assignment of assault rifle still on "hold" Heckler & Koch 2021 with a sharp increase in profit Marco Seliger becomes Head of Communications at Heckler & Koch Other automatic grenade launchers for Bundeswehr combat vehicles CDE takes over Heckler & Koch Assault rifle of the Bundeswehr: Ministry of Defense excludes Haenel and wants to place an order with Heckler & Koch Right Ticker - The controversy over the new assault rifle continues Comment: New assault rifle shows urgent need for reform Equip to fight - HK modernizes British SA80 assault rifle