Heckler & Koch has been awarded a contract to supply the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) with an undisclosed amount of its G36 assault rifles.

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According to Shephard Media, the terms of the seven-year, $15.85 million contract stipulate that HK deliver the G36 rifles to the NAF and State Border Guard at some point in 2018. These guns are set to replace the AK-4—essentially a Swedish version of the Heckler & Koch G3A3 rifle—currently being used by the NAF.

“Purchase of G36 assault rifles and other guns under the agreement will allow us to modernise the national armed forces, national guard and border guard arsenal with the same type of weapons. It will further enhance the close cooperation and joint development to which we have committed ourselves and are working towards,” said Latvian Minister of Defence Raimonds Bergmanis, according to Shephard Media.

The HK G36 is a gas-operated rifle first designed in the early-to-mid 90s as a replacement for the 7.62mm G3. It was first fielded by the Bundeswehr in 1997. The gun is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO and features an 18.9-inch barrel; 30-round magazine capacity; and an overall weight of eight pounds.

“Used as an infantry weapon in a large number of countries, special forces and security forces also rely on its constant reliability,” Heckler & Koch says on its website. “Essential components of the G36 are made of glass fibre reinforced plastic. This gives the user a lightweight weapon with high performance and low maintenance requirements.”

“The G36 is ideally suited for dismounted infantry operations. For optimal handling, weight, and rate of fire in close-quarters battle, and for rapid, accurate and penetrating single fire in long-range combat.”

There are three versions of the G36: the standard model, the G36K and the G36C. The G36K (Kurz) is the carbine variant, while the G36C (Compact) is the shortest offering. See the specs of the standard gun below.

HK G36 Specs

Caliber: 5.56 mm x 45
Operating principle: Gas-operated
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
Modes of fire: SEF
Rate of fire: approx. 750/min
Sights: O, R
Buttstock: FO
Length min./max: approx. 755/1002 mm
Width: approx. 65.0 mm
Height: approx. 323.0 mm
Barrel length: approx. 480 mm
Weight: approx. 3,630 g

For more, visit heckler-koch.com.