Sturmgewehr 25 is new

LMT Defense has just announced the award of a significant contract to supply small arms to the Swiss Armed Forces. This contract covers rifles in various calibers, with a primary focus on the 5.56×45 NATO caliber, officially designated as the Sturmgewehr 25 (Stgw 25).

Following the successful fielding of the MARS-H 7.62 (designated as the 7.62mm Zf Stgw 20) as a DMR for the Army Reconnaissance Detachment 10 (AAD 10) and the Military Police Special Detachment (MP Spez Det), the Swiss Armed Forces have once again placed their trust in LMT Defense for their small arms needs.

Based on available information from trade shows and industry sources, it is reasonable to assume that the Stgw 25 is based on the Modular Ambidextrous Receiver System-Light (MARS-L) 5.56 Piston. The rifle is expected to feature 16-inch and 12-inch barrel lenghts, an M-LOK handguard, SureFire’s WARCOMP flash hider, and an FDE (Flat Dark Earth) color scheme, similar to the 7.62mm Zf Stgw 20.

LMT’s fully ambidextrous MARS-L 5.56 was first adopted in 2017 by the New Zealand Defense Forces including Special Forces, while the MARS-L 5.56 Piston was successfully fielded in 2020 with the Estonian Defense Forces. Based on my experience with these rifles, they offer sub-MOA accuracy with 77-grain ammunition, an excellent MILSPEC trigger, and highly practical ambidextrous controls.

At this time, no official information is available regarding other calibers for the Stgw 25. However, an interesting detail has emerged—a Swiss gun shop is selling a rifle named the “LMT Defense MLC Swiss SFC Mars-Law Close Protection Rifle System 9 inch” chambered in .300 Blackout with a LAW folding stock. This might be a hint at additional configurations!

LMT Defense has not disclosed which units will receive the Stgw 25. However, given the significant size of the contract, it is reasonable to assume that not only AAD 10 and MP Spez Det will be equipped, but other specialized units within the Swiss Armed Forces may also receive these rifles.

As for ancillaries, no concrete information is available yet. We will likely have to wait for the first images of fielded weapons. However, based on the current 5.6mm Stgw 07 loadout, the new rifles will likely be equipped with an optical sight (possibly LPVOs), a laser pointer, and a flashlight. ALL INFOS on MARS rifles by LMT Defense. 

Marco Dâmaso, dashuyn.ch