Back in April 2018, we reported that Germany’s Hesse state police were in search for a new 5.56x45mm rifle. German defence blog Strategie-Technik reports that Hessian state police have selected a variant of the Heckler & Koch HK416.

Hessian Police were in search for a mid-range weapon that “serves as a compact shoulder-mounted weapon system for medium deployment distances. Their purpose is the production of technically necessary weapon superiority.” The HK416 apparently fulfilled this desire with the new rifle set to be designated the G38. Contrary to tender documents which called for a rifle with a folding stock.

Hesse State Police Spezialeinsatzkommando or SEK with HK G36Cs

The G38 is reportedly going to combine features from the HK416 A5 and A7 with a 14.5-inch barrel and a slim handguard with Heckler & Koch’s HKey mounting system. The new G38 will be a semi-automatic only carbine. In total the purchase of 2,000 rifles is planned with 1,614 rifles being equipped with an Aimpoint Comp M4 red dot sight while the second configuration, optimised for longer ranges with a Steiner M5Xi optic, probably the 1-5×24 variant. 391 of the second configuration are planned.

A Streamlight weapon light, carrying cases, vertical front grips, back up iron sights and spare magazines will also be part of the package. New police car storage cases will be fitted and training and maintenance will also be part of the procurement package.

The Hesse state police currently employ over 15,000 officers, most carry a Heckler & Koch P30 as their sidearm. The police force will now shift toward being able to respond to emergencies more rapidly with better-armed officers. The new G38 carbines will supplement and replace the MP5s currently in service. Delivery of the new G38s is expected to begin at the end of 2019.

Source