Thuringian manufacturer C.G. Haenel has won the contract for the delivery of 120,000 MK556 assault rifles to the Bundeswehr (German army), a contract worth around 245 million euros (over $290 million). The exact configuration of the weapons and the accessories they will be equipped with is still unconfirmed. The MK556 will replace the H&K G36 assault rifle in service with the German HEER and other tri-services units.
The MK 556 Gen2 is a short-stroke piston operated AR-based design available in 10.5, 12.5, 14.5 and 16-inch barrel lengths with a STANAG 4694 quad rail or 3 and 9 o’clock keymod mounting points and ambidextrous controls – a 45-degree rather than AR-pattern selector. The MK556 with a 16 inch barrel weighs in at 3.6kg (7.9 lbs).
Germany; Army decides on Haenel MK 556 successor to the G36 assault rifle