Heckler & Koch is cooking, the Bundeswehr is backing down, the German forces continue with the G36. C.G. Haenel now responds to the cancellation of the advance information, stating that the MK556 will be the new assault rifle of the Bundeswehr.
At the same time, the seemingly not very competent in weapon matters but always timely fed with one-sided information "Business Insider" shines, claiming that a "scandalous" video has emerged showing alleged plagiarism accusations. In it, parts of the MK556 are inserted into an HK416 and can be fired! Well, let's see. Unbelievable ... no one has explained to the colleagues yet what an AR15 is. The accusation is as crazy as the insinuation that AK 47 parts from different manufacturers would fit together. Or could it be that the HK416 itself is a "plagiarism"? Don't worry, it was just a bad joke ...
After all the commotion, C.G. Haenel now responds very calmly, once again explaining the Machine Carbine 556, addressing the racially connotated accusations that they are an "Arabic" company, and also explaining why they are competent to reliably fulfill the contract in Germany. Here we document the statement from C.G. Haenel:
Assault rifle of the Bundeswehr: Statement from C.G. Haenel on the award procedure
We have taken note of the decision of the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to withdraw the advance information letter. We are still convinced that we have submitted the best offer, that our product was rightfully selected, and that we will be a reliable and worthy partner of the Bundeswehr. We are confident that any open questions will be clarified in a timely manner.
Selection of the MK556
Our assault rifle MK556 is an in-house development of C.G. Haenel/MERKEL Group. There is no relation to the CAR816 assault rifle from CARACAL International LLC. Also, the alleged patent infringements mentioned in the review application of a competitor only refer to the CR223, a semi-automatic rifle for shooting sports. The MK556 is a different rifle with different design features from the CR223. The patent litigation doesn't even mention it. The technology mentioned there is not used in the MK556. Furthermore, we also believe that there is no patent infringement regarding the CR223.
C.G. Haenel is known as a reliable partner for authorities with an excellent reputation. In addition to police and special units in Germany, our long-standing customers also include various NATO armed forces. The newly developed MK556 for the Bundeswehr impressed in terms of practical testing, product performance, and the most economical overall offer.
Our offer price is based on a very economically calculated offer. After submitting the final offer, the BAAINBw requested additional information and clarified the offer, as is usual in tender procedures. All correspondence was done in writing and transparently, there were no secret agreements at any time.
Ownership structure of C.G. Haenel & Capacity
The ownership structure of C.G. Haenel is transparent. The shareholder is CARACAL International LLC. The shareholders have been the owners of Merkel Hunting and Sporting Rifles GmbH (MERKEL) in Suhl Thuringia since September 2007. C.G. Haenel is a subsidiary of MERKEL and is located at the same site. Thanks to financial investments, the C.G. Haenel/MERKEL Group is well positioned to afford quality excellence and innovation. Operationally, the C.G. Haenel/MERKEL Group is independent, with decisions made in Germany.
The C.G. Haenel/MERKEL Group has around 120 employees at the Suhl site. The management of MERKEL and C.G. Haenel is the same in terms of personnel, and all C.G. Haenel products are manufactured with support from MERKEL. With our intelligent, modern, and efficient manufacturing facility in Suhl, we can produce the MK556 in Germany. The production of the MK556 is realized in Germany with a production share of around 90 percent and will also benefit the economic region of South Thuringia. The production area is more than sufficient for the Bundeswehr contract and other orders, with no need for expansion.
Re-evaluation of offers
We hope that after a re-evaluation of the offers by the BAAINBw, we will be able to equip the German Bundeswehr. We see the agency as the master of the process and therefore do not want to interfere improperly in the communication. We have full confidence in the BAAINBw and are willing to compete again with the competitor.
HAENEL DEFENCE on the Internet: www.cg-haenel.de/defence_de
HECKLER & KOCH on the Internet: www.heckler-koch.com
The Bundeswehr on the Internet: www.bundeswehr.de
MORE ASSAULT RIFLE BUNDESWEHR ON SPARTANAT
HERE we present the Haenel MK556 on SPARTANAT.
HERE the Bundeswehr confirms the decision.
THIS is what Heckler & Koch replies to the decision of the Bundeswehr.
THIS is what Haenel explains about the MK556.
The Empire strikes back - Bundeswehr, Heckler & Koch and Haenel
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