As the German Army is taking the next step towards a new assault rifle, they are also looking for a semi-automatic precision rifle in 7.62x51mm. The Federal Office responsible for the Bundeswehr equipment procurement (BAAINBw) has published a tender titled: “Scharfschützenwaffe kurze Reichweite (SSchtzWa kRw) G26”

I just love the abbreviation SSchtzWa kRw and think I’m going to keep to calling it ‘the G26’, and try not to think of the Glock pistol with the same name. What the German Army is looking for is a “Sniper Weapon Short Range” (DMR – Designated Marksman Rifle), including precision ammunition.

The need specified in the tender seems similar to that laid out by the French Army used. TFB has an extensive article on the French Army’s final choice: French Army Selects SCAR-H PR, S&B Scope and Night/Thermal Vision for Sniper Rifle.

The Netherlands are also looking for a Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), but they have requested .260 Remington (6.5x51mm).

Picture source: German Bundeswehr. Marco Dorow. See here for more.

The Bundeswehr is looking for a total of 145 rifles. Just like the Swedish Army, which is looking for a new Multi-Caliber Sniper Weapon System, the German Army has specified a ‘Sniper Gray‘ color. OD Green and FDE seems to be out of fashion, and the 7,62 mm is back! Take note!

There is also an extensive accessory package including muzzle brakes, suppressors (‘signature dampers’).

One challenge is the maximum weight of the new weapon. As a reference the HK417 A2 with a 13″ barrel is 4.22 kilograms and the HK417 A2 with 16.5″ is 4.4 kilograms.

The FN SCAR-H PR with 16″ is 4.26 kg (~9.41 lb) and the FN SCAR-H CQC comes in at only ~ 3.7kg (~8.15 lb). Overall the FN SCAR-H has a lower weight than the H&Ks.

Who knows, perhaps the Italians will compete with their Beretta ARX200?

US Suppliers are also welcome to bid, as the ITAR restrictions will be disregarded for this purchase. (Source)

Potential users of the G26 Sniper Rifle could be the German Fernspäher (Scouts). Note the suppressed HK G36.

Photo: Christian Vierfuß.

The specification of the Short Range Sniper Weapon from TED is as follows:

Summary of the design features (auto-translated, with some edits):

1. Caliber 7.62 mm x 51 NATO
2. Semi-automatic gas pressure
3. Operability on both sides (Ambidextrous)
4. Muzzle brake
5. Signature damper set (Suppressor), consisting of compact signature damper, subsonic signature damper, training signature damper,
6. STANAG 4694 rails on hand protection and weapon top,
7. Length without muzzle brake and with inserted shoulder rest maximum 900 mm,
8. Use in areas with climate categories A 1-3, B 1-3, C 1-2 * and M 1-3 in accordance with STANAG 4370 without restriction of functionality; * With limited battery life,
9. Housing life at least 6000 rounds; Tube life at least 6000 rounds,
10. Maximum 4.5 kg total weight weapon without muzzle brake, sighting device and accessories, with mounting rails and empty magazine (10 rounds),
11. Accessories: 10-shot magazines, 20-shot magazines, cleaning device, sleeve bag, loading gauges, sectional model, special tool sets, torque sets.
12. Other important features: color gray (sniper gray), adjustable gas take-off,
13. First ammunition packages for integrated verification and series.

To carry out a comparison test, 5 EA gun samples with accessories and 20,000 EA rounds of precision ammunition must be supplied.

Included in the request is a total quantity of 507,000 rounds of “precision ammunition” of which 267,000 are going to be used for verification and 240,000 for serial use. Suppliers are allowed to use subcontractors.

Companies that are interested have until 20 April, 2020 to submit their intention to participate in the tender.

Which American companies do you think will compete for this order?

Which rifle do you think will win and become the German Short Range Sniper Rifle – The G26?

Sources: TED Europe and ES&T. Top picture: Concamo