Heckler & Koch to Supply New G210 Semi-Sniper Rifle to German Army

The Bundeswehr has once again opted to equip its forces with weapons from Heckler & Koch. The manufacturer, based in Oberndorf am Neckar, won the contract to supply the G210 rifle, a model derived from the MR308A6, which was specifically designed to meet the needs of the German army’s special forces. The contract was signed in the presence of Jens Bodo Koch, CEO of Heckler & Koch, Arno Trebbin, a representative of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BaAINBw), and Marco Geißinger, the company’s commercial director.

The G210 is a precision rifle intended for short-range engagements, using the proven 7.62 mm x 51 caliber cartridge. Up to 500 units of this weapon are scheduled for delivery in 2025. This contract further strengthens the collaboration between Heckler & Koch and the German armed forces, particularly the elite units.

The MR308A6 model, which forms the basis of the G210, was developed specifically for this tender. This semi-automatic rifle, unveiled to the public for the first time at the EnforceTac exhibition in February 2024, includes a precision cartridge in the 7.62 mm x 51 caliber. Weighing approximately 4.4 kg without its magazine, the weapon features a lateral reloading mechanism that enhances user comfort.

The G210 is intended to replace the G28, another precision weapon from Heckler & Koch previously used by the special forces. The G28, also chambered in 7.62 mm x 51, served as the standard precision rifle for medium-range engagements. The G210 is designed to offer better ergonomics, increased accuracy, and improved handling comfort, thanks to features like the lateral reloading mechanism.

Heckler & Koch has been supplying various models of weapons to the Bundeswehr for a long time. These weapons are used across several branches of the military, from infantry to special units, and play a crucial role in German military equipment.

One of the most iconic Heckler & Koch weapons used by the Bundeswehr is the G36, an assault rifle introduced in the 1990s. Designed to replace the G3, the G36 became the standard rifle for the German infantry. It is valued for its lightness and modularity but has also faced criticism for its accuracy during prolonged use in extreme conditions, such as high temperatures. Due to these concerns, the Bundeswehr began exploring alternatives to replace the G36.