Type: Assault Rifle

Nations: Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Jordan, Indonesia, Sweden, Spain, Poland, Lithuania, Malaysia, Czech Republic +

Branch: Armed Forces, Law Enforcement

Time Period: 1997-present (2020)

Conflicts: Kosovo War, Global War on Terrorism, War in Afghanistan, Libyan Civil War, Iraqi Civil War, Syrian Conflict+

Other Names: G36

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

Facts: West Germany was about to adopt the HK G11 an experimental caseless rifle, but after the reunification of East and West Germany the defense budget was cut and the procurement of the G11 was ceased. This left Germany with a need of a new modern service rifle. HK offered the HK G41, a 5.56x45mm NATO variant of their G3 rifle, but that was rejected. The HK Project 50 was then designed. The new designed faired better than the rival Steyr AUG, was finalized and Germany adopted the G36. The G36C, C meaning compact, is the sub carbine variant of the G36 that uses a 9 inch barrel. The G36 series of rifles are largely comprised of high strength polymer and uses a short stroke gas piston. The G36 rifle series is fed by a proprietary polymer 30 round magazine that is capable of clipping together.