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According to several sources, the Police in Hamburg (Germany), are getting new body armor, helmets, armored cars and HK MP5s and Haenel CR223s.
The real news here is the issuing of the Haenel CR223, which is a piston driven AR15 style rifle.
Hamburger Mobile Einsatzkommando (MEK) is the main unit that will receive this equipment.
The reason is of course the continued threat from terrorist violence, and what has been learned from and concluded from the previous attacks.
Apparently there is a need for protective vests and helmets, which can protect officers from rifle bullets.
The HK MP5 is already included in the basic training, but the addition of the Haenel CR223 gives the Police access to rifle ammunition in 5.56 x 45 mm NATO. The choice fell on the CR223 model, developed by C.G. Haenel in AR 15 standard.
From what I have heard, C.G. Haenel is a subcontractor to Heckler & Koch, so they are familiar with the CNC machining of uppers and lowers.
About 70 patrol vehicles will be equipped to this standard.
The costs for the new protective equipment package in the security of the police forces in Hamburg amount to 4.5 million €uros. (4.8 million USD).
Link to the Haenel CR223 “homepage”.
“C.G. Haenel, the traditional manufacturer from Suhl, is now offering its own version of a semi-automatic rifle in the popular AR 15 standard. The Haenel CR223 in the .223 Rem. calibre is an indirect gas-pressure loader that is fully compatible with the basics of this class. For Key Account Manager Björn Dräger, the development is a step towards new rifle classes – at the same time the company is building on from old expertise. C.G. Haenel in Suhl developed the world’s first type 44 assault rifle in the 1940’s – a rifle that not only created this rifle class but also had a decisive influence on all subsequent constructions of the same type.”
The CR223 is available in the following barrel lengths.
16,5“ – 935mm/ 850mm
14,5“ – 883mm/ 798mm
12,5“ – 812mm / 748mm
10“ – 769mm/ 684mm
Based on the photos I guess they will be using the 14.5″ version.
Below: Parts of the new protective equipment of the Hamburg police: Ballistic Protective helmet SK1 +, Ballistic protective vest SK4 and a CR223 rifle from Haenel.
Officer with MP5 and armor (hint, not the guy holding the microphone).
The special units will be using the “Survivor” emergency vehicle with these technical data:
– Displacement: 6.6 liters. power 238 hp – Weight 9800 kg – Length: 6 meters. – All wheel drive.
If you know the brand of the vehicle, please tell us in the comments below.
Sales seems to be going well for Haenel in Germany. I wonder what Heckler & Koch are thinking?
As TFB reported in february, the new German Army Sniper G29 is a Haenel RS9 in .338 Lapua Magnum.
This trend is growing in Europe, Police units have a need for 9×19 mm firearms, a handgun but with more “rifle-like” characteristics for PDW.
Concept formula = 9×19 Handgun + Red Dot + Stock/grip = Shoot more accurate and further.
Example of this are for instance the Tanfoglio TCMP and B&T USW and MP9/TP9. Yes, those links will point you in the right direction.
Stronger, and more urgent, there is also a need for real rifles and rifle calibers, which opens up a new market for HK416 and AR15 like manufacturers. In Germany there are a few producers like Schmeisser, Haenel, HERA Arms and Oberland.
Very soon TFB will be telling you about more Police units getting AR15 rifles.
