New rifle for KSK
MONS learned via news sources that on 10 October, the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw) contracted Heckler & Koch to supply 1,745 HK 416 A7 weapons and accessories.
The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) designation is expected to be G95. This designation is a bit surprising as the HK 416 A5 is called G38. A press release from the BAAINBw states that the HK416A7 is a gas piston rifle in the calibre 5.56mm x45 NATO. The weapon has a weight of 3,690kg and a barrel length of 14.5 inches. The G95 is to be the new standard gun of the KSK ( Kommando Spezialkräfte) and the Special Forces command of the Navy (KSM) and is expected to be delivered to the force beginning January 2019.
Technical testing at the military service center 91 (WTD91) as well as tactical testing by KSK starts in November 2017. This German SOF adoption is of a newer edition of the HK416 than that which in use with US and UK SOF. It will be very interesting to see which lasers and optics will be chosen for the new Sturmgewehr Spezialkräfte.
According to further news reports, the A7 model is the first variant of the HK416 with a 45 Deg throw lever safety. Interestingly, this is also featured on the HK433.
