Despite the German Bundeswehr’s urgent need for new rifles, a long-planned order for the new assault rifle HK 416 A8 from Heckler & Koch has still not been executed, according to a recent media report. The reason lies in “significant problems with the sight, which is not compatible with night vision devices”, as reported by the magazine “Business Insider”. It is said that the corresponding contract is even being renegotiated, which would further delay the process. And this in the backdrop of the fact that it appears there are no longer enough G36 rifles for the entire combat force.
The procurement of new assault rifles has been a long-standing issue. Originally, 120,000 new rifles were to be procured. After numerous delays, the Defense Ministry finally announced in September 2020 that a Thuringian weapon manufacturer had won the tender with the MK556. However, following numerous reports of irregularities in the tender, the contract ultimately went to Heckler & Koch. The volume of the contract is said to be 273 million euros, as written in the magazine.