Heckler & Koch G36
Also known as HK G36, MG36
assault rifle
Key facts
- Type
- Assault rifle
- Place of origin
- Germany
- In service
- 1997–present
- Used by
- 40+ countries (see Users )
- Wars
- See Conflicts
- Designer
- Heckler & Koch
- Designed
- 1991–1995
- Manufacturer
- Heckler & Koch , Santa Bárbara Sistemas , Military Industries Corporation
- Produced
- 1996–present
- Number span no built
- 260,000+
- Variants
- See Variants
- Mass
- 3.63 kg (8.00 lb)
- Length
Article
The Heckler & Koch G36 (German: Gewehr 36) is an assault rifle designed in the early 1990s by German weapons manufacturer Heckler & Koch. It is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, and replaced the heavier G3 battle rifle chambered in 7.62×51mm. The G36 was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997. Since then, it has been a popular export and has seen active service in military and police units in several countries, including Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The G36 is gas-operated and feeds from a 30-round detachable box magazine or 100-round C-Mag drum magazine.
In 2012, the G36 was found to suffer from significant accuracy issues due to thermal expansion of the barrel, prompting a search for a replacement. In 2017, the Bundeswehr launched the System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr, a program designed to field a replacement for the G36. The weapons put forth were the Heckler & Koch HK416, HK433, and the Haenel MK 556. The HK416 was selected in 2022 and the rifle was adopted as the G95A1.