Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
The French Army (via its equipment maintenance division SIMMT) has issued a tender for an undisclosed quantity of multi-calibre precision rifles, spare parts and related services.
Bids are due by 15 February.
SIMMT intends to award a seven-year framework contract to a single company. It will acquire between €340,000 ($415,000) and €3.5 million worth of rifles.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that France awarded Heckler & Koch a contract in September 2016 to deliver 100,000 HK416Fs (a modified version of the HK416 A5 assault rifle) to replace the FAMAS rifles (pictured) in French Army service from 2017-2027. In May 2017, French procurement agency DGA accepted the first batch of HK416F rifles.
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