The Modular Handgun System saga continues. A couple of weeks ago, we told you the U.S. Marine Corps had requested money to buy 35,000 Army MHS pistols as part of its FY19 budget. Last week, it came out that every branch had placed orders for the gun. Now we’re learning that one branch, the U.S. Navy, will field 60,000 MHS pistols in FY19.

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Navy’s Modular Handgun System Plans

“The Navy has contracted with Sig Sauer to procure 60,000 Modular Handgun Systems,” Navy spokesman Ben Anderson told Military.com.

Anderson also confirmed that the Navy is going with the compact M18 variant of the MHS, as opposed to the full-size M17 model. The gun “will replace the Beretta M9 and Sig Sauer M11 sidearms that are currently in the fleet,” he said.

In addition, Anderson set a timeline for the procurement, stating “money has been allocated for contracting this year, with delivery to the Navy to commence in FY19.”

You know the story by now. The Army launched its Modular Handgun System competition to replace the Beretta M9 in August of 2015. In January of 2017, the service officially selected Sig Sauer as the winners of the competition, beating out the likes of Glock; FN; and Beretta. The New Hampshire-based company was awarded a $580 million contract to produce full-size M17 and compact M18 9mm striker-fired guns over a 10-year period.

The Modular Handgun System is based on the Sig Sauer P320. All MHS pistols can be equipped with suppressors. They also come with both standard and extended capacity magazines.

The Army plans on buying 195,000 MHS pistols in all. It began fielding the MHS late last year.

Debra Dawson, a spokesperson for Program Executive Office-Soldier, said last week the other branches could procure the MHS via the Army contract.

The Air Force and Coast Guard have yet to comment on the Modular Handgun System. If and when they do, we’ll be sure to bring you that news.