The Czech firearms manufacturer CZ will supply the Czech army with BREN 2 assault rifles, CZ P-10 pistols, CZ 805 G1 grenade launchers, CZ SCORPION submachine gun and ammunition worth up to CZK 2.35 billion (around €85 million). The framework agreement was signed on April 21, 2020, by Lubor Koudelka, Czech Deputy Minister for Armaments and Acquisition, and Ladislav Britaňák, CEO of CZ.
CZ BREN 2 assault rifle. (Picture source CZ)
“Our goal is to modernize the army, but also to support the Czech industry and maintain jobs in these difficult times,” explained Czech Minister of Defense Lubomír Metnar. “The concluded framework agreement will enable the acquisition of up to 39,000 small arms made by a renowned manufacturer for our soldiers by 2025.”
“The Army of the Czech Republic demands only the best armament. This contract is an assurance for us that we are doing our job well and create high-quality and innovative products that hold up even in the most demanding military and law enforcement markets. At the same time, it is an important signal of the importance of investment in the domestic defence industry, especially in the difficult present time that demonstrates the need to ensure maximum security of deliveries from domestic sources,” said Luboš Kovařík, President of the CZ Group.
“We are honored to be able to further supply our army, which is historically one of the most important customers of CZ and also an important reference in world markets. Furthermore, this contract will support employment, which I consider to be a key in the current situation for both the company and the Czech economy,” added Ladislav Britaňák.
In the event of maximum performance of the contract, the army will receive in the following years more than 16,000 BREN 2 assault rifles, over 21,000 CZ P-10 9mm semi-automatic pistols, over 1,600 CZ 805 G1 grenade launchers, nearly 100 CZ SCORPION submachine guns and training ammunition. The purchase follows the contracts from 2010 to 2016, when the army purchased almost 40,000 small arms from CZ.
CZ P-10 9mm semi-automatic pistol. (Picture source CZ)
The CZ BREN 2 is an assault rifle and battle rifle from the production of CZ service weapons. This rifle was designed by Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod in 2006 to replace the Sa vz 58 that was in service with the Czech Army. The CZ 805 BREN is used by the Czech military, Indonesian Special Forces and Mexican police. The CZ BREN 2 BR is a cutting-edge individual automatic weapon that combines the best qualities of the successful CZ BREN 2 model series with the popular and powerful 7.62x51 NATO cartridge.
The main features of the CZ Bren 2 are a new simplified three-position gas system, a non-reciprocating charging handle, and a hold-open catch for the bolt carrier. It is also lighter about 0.5 kg than the previous version. The CZ Bren 2 is chambered for 5,56mm NATO caliber but it can be also adapted to fire NATO 7.62mm caliber ammunition. This assault is available in three configurations with different size of barrels of 8", 11" and 14".
CZ 805 G1 40mm grenade launcher (Picture source CZ)
The CZ P-10 is a 9mm semi-automatic pistol that was unveiled at IWA exhibition in March 2017. The weapon is designed for self-defense and use in the armed forces (although there is no reference to usage by official armed forces of any country as of 2018). The CZ P-10 C has a mechanically and thermally stable polymer frame reinforced with glass fiber and three interchangeable backstraps.
The CZ P-10 has a magazine capacity of 15 rounds and has a weight of 740 gr.
The CZ 805 G1 grenade launcher can be used with a wide range of modern standardized grenades in 40×46 mm caliber as well as with non-lethal ammunition. The CZ 805 G1 grenade launcher may be used separately on its own carrier, designed and manufactured by Česká zbrojovka a.s., or attached under an assault rifle.
The Scorpion EVO 3 is a 9 mm submachine gun manufactured by Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod (CZ), the select-fire variant designated as A1 being a submachine gun and the semi-automatic variant designated as S1.
CZ Scorpion 9 mm submachine gun. (Picture source CZ)
