The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has announced the long-awaited program to replace the Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle in German Army service, reports the Polish gun magazine MilMag. According to the source, the BAAINBw released the tender for the new System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr on April 19, with all submissions due by May 22, 2017. Selection is expected to occur sometime in 2018, and production of whichever rifle is selected is slated for April 1, 2019, to continue through 31 March 2026. The 7-year contract is expected to have a total value of 245 million Euros, (~ USD 260 million).

MilMag reports that the contract seeks a new standard infantry rifle available in two barrel lengths, Kurzrohr (short) and Langrohr (long), with ambidextrous controls and standard NATO mounting rails. Oddly, according to MilMag, the Bundeswehr did not specify caliber, allowing entrants to submit rifles in either 5.56x45mm NATO or 7.62x51mm NATO. The tender also specified rifle weight to not exceed 3.6 kilograms (even in 7.62mm), and a 30,000 round receiver/structure life plus 15,000 round barrel life with ball ammunition.

Entrants for the competition are reported to be, already, the Heckler & Koch HK433, Steyr-Rheinmetall RS556, and SIG Sauer MCX. MilMag also suggested the Beretta ARX-100/200 might also be submitted, although that is probably speculative.

As of yet, the tender does not appear to be available online.