ASSAULT RIFLE BUNDESWEHR: Haenel is disappointed

The procurement chamber decided on June 10 that the review request by C.G. Haenel will be rejected - SPARTANAT has reported on this peculiar decision. The decision of the procurement chamber now no longer justifies the alleged patent infringements against C.G. Haenel that have been brought up for months. The review request of C.G. Haenel was rejected due to a subsequently determined, allegedly lack of economic viability of the MK 556 offer.

C.G. Haenel acknowledges the decision and states:

The decision of the procurement chamber is extremely disappointing and lacks logical coherence. We are still convinced that we submitted the best and most economically viable offer. To exclude C.G. Haenel on the grounds of patent infringement and then withdraw the contract with the justification of lack of economic viability does not make sense to us. We will thoroughly review the reasoning and expressly reserve the right to take legal action

Background

On September 16, 2020, the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) announced that the company C.G. Haenel emerged as the winner of the procurement process for the "Sturmgewehr System" project. C.G. Haenel had submitted the most economically viable offer.

In response, an unsuccessful competitor claimed to the contracting authority that the company C.G. Haenel had infringed on patents. As a result of the strategic importance of the project, the BAAINBw decided to investigate the allegations. A patent attorney was commissioned to prepare various expert opinions on possible patent infringements. On December 18, 2020, the BAAINBw announced that C.G. Haenel "could" have infringed a patent with its offered weapon MK 556. Moreover, the offer "meets the requirements".

Through a preliminary information letter on March 2, 2021, the BAAINBw excluded C.G. Haenel from the tendering procedure "Sturmgewehr System" citing the dispute over patent infringements as the sole reason. C.G. Haenel challenged this decision on March 4 and submitted a review request on March 12.

Throughout the review process, C.G. Haenel has argued and remains firmly convinced that there is no patent infringement. The offered MK 556 does not possess any technical features that could infringe on a patent by Heckler & Koch. This view was confirmed by an opinion from the internationally renowned patent lawyer Professor Dr. Donle. For this reason alone, the exclusion of C.G. Haenel from the tendering process is clearly unlawful. Furthermore, the opinion asserts that the alleged patent is invalid. The BAAINBw has not contradicted this claim regarding the invalidity of Heckler & Koch's patent at any point in the process.

HAENEL DEFENCE online: www.cg-haenel.de/defence_de

HECKLER & KOCH online: www.heckler-koch.com

Bundeswehr online: www.bundeswehr.de

MORE ASSAULT RIFLE BUNDESWEHR ON SPARTANAT

– HERE we present the Haenel MK556 on SPARTANAT.

– HERE the Bundeswehr confirms the decision.

– HECKLER & KOCH responds to the Bundeswehr's decision.

– HAENEL explains about the MK556.

– The Empire Strikes Back - Bundeswehr, Heckler & Koch, and Haenel.

– This is how the Bundeswehr sees the situation - they want an expert opinion.

– Haenel wants to continue - and explains the MK556 and why they can also deliver reliably.

– The opinion is here - what happens next.

– Haenel pushed aside - HK wins the Bundeswehr contract.

– Bundeswehr: Germany's next Top Model

– Haenel shoots back. First statement from the Suhl armory.

– Haenel now takes legal action. And explains on SPARTANAT why.

– Haenel explains why HK's patent is invalid. Because they didn't invent it, according to Haenel.

– Magpul against HK. The issue with polymer magazines...

– Steyer as an alternative? The Austrians upgrade the G36

– Procurement chamber rejects Haenel. Heckler & Koch suddenly cheaper