Germany eyes MG4 A3 machine gun contract next year
The new variant of the MG4 A3 has a rate of up to 825 rounds per minute and thus has a multiple of firepower compared to the G36 assault rifle. (Photo: German Armed Forces)
Germany's effort to procure the latest variant of the MG4 light machine gun is taking longer than expected but the project is running smoother than the tribulations experienced by the G36 replacement.
The German Armed Forces are expected to sign a contract with Heckler & Koch (H&K) for series delivery of the new MG4 A3 variant 5.56mm light machine gun (LMG) in FY2022.
A contract was initially expected as early as Q3 FY2020, with the initial delivery of weapons due in Q2 FY2021.
Although operational testing of the LMG by the Bundeswehr was completed in Q3 FY2020 with the use of ten MG4 A3 samples by German paratroopers, a contract did not materialise.
A spokesperson from H&K told Shephard that lessons learned from this process 'will be implemented on the weapon this year.
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