The German army’s accuracy has again been mired in controversy as it was revealed in a classified report the testing for their latest rifle was lowered.
The G95A1 rifle failed to pass trials with military-standard ammunition so the Bundeswehr – the German army – lowered the standards of the test, the report to stated.
The manufacturers of the rifle – Heckler and Koch – were allowed to test it with civilian ammunition and at room temperature rather than in extreme heat and cold.
The classified report read: ‘Current testing by the army in laboratory conditions shows that the weapon doesn’t meet army standards when loaded with combat ammunition.
‘The army requires an assault rifle that is sufficiently accurate under real conditions with its combat ammunition.’
The new G95A1 (pictured) is set to be distributed to German soldiers next year
Young recruits of the Bundeswehr practice with the old G36 assault rifle, which was dropped due to a floppy barrel
German defence minister Boris Pistorius promised he would get the army ‘war fit’ as the threat of another world war grows
The report, which was first revealed by Der Spiegel, added: that the defence ministry ‘can no longer ensure this… due to a modified contract with the weapon manufacturer.’
The rifle was ordered to replace the G36 – also made by Heckler and Koch – which was dropped after it was found to become inaccurate after sustained firing.
The G36’s inconsistency was down to a plastic channel that support the barrel would become soft when the gun heats in a quick succession of firing.
The fault was first discovered when German soldiers serving in Afghanistan complained their guns were not shooting straight after a bout of heavy fire.
A soldier holds the old G36 which was manufactured by Heckler and Koch
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz beside a soldier holding the new G95A1 rifle
Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius has pledged to make their army ‘war fit’ as the threat of another world war grows with British army bosses warning conscription may be needed to strengthen the UK’s army.
Their 180,000-strong army is due to be receiving new weapons next year after it was reported that they only had enough ammunition to fight for two days.
However, the new gun’s accuracy is up to scratch according to Germany’s elite KSK troops who have been equipped with the G95A1.
A 2015 survey of German soldiers found that only 8 per cent of Bundeswehr soldiers trusted their weapons which resulted in Ursula von der Leyen, the then defence minister, dropping the G36.