German Army Seeks New Optic for Future G36 Replacement

The Federal Agency for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Federal Armed Forces (BAAINBw) has released a tender worth 125 million Euros (approximately $153 million) for 103,090 combat sights.

The tender, issued on 16th January, is to equip the new System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr, the replacement of the Heckler & Koch G36 rifle, due to be delivered between 2019–26. The tender calls for either a 4x main battle sight, with a cross wire reticule, and a non-magnified red dot reflex sight mounted on top or a variable combination 1x to 4x sight. These must be mounted on the universal NATO Accessory Rail (a development of the ubiquitous Picatinny Rail).

The contract notice requires that the optics be ‘maintenance free’, usable in all weather and all major climate types and have a 15,000 round service lifespan. Like the rifle they are to be mounted on, none of the sights are to be subject to International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) regulations.

Manufacturers submitting optics will need to supply 7 ‘free samples’ for testing and evaluation. Once the contract has been agreed a further 374 will be needed for qualification and operational testing. Following this, there will be a minimum purchase of at least 12,624 scopes in the first serial lot. With orders for up to 103,090 planned by 2026, this, however, is a non-binding procurement forecast.

The news comes as the testing and selection of Germany’s System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr (or Bundeswehr Assault Rifle System) approach with the testing completed by the end of 2018 and the decision expected to be announced in early 2019. The rifles in the running are believed to include the Rheinmetall RS556, Heckler & Koch HK416 & HK433, Haenel Defence MK556, and the FN SCAR.

Companies looking to fill the combat sight contract have until the 15th February to submit bids.

Source:

‘Germany-Koblenz: rifles 2018 / S 010-019584 contract notice’, Ted, Retrieved 01/19/18, from source