Japans Defence Force orders new assault rife and new service pistol

[Georg]

On December 6, 2019, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the introduction of a new assault rifle and a new service pistol for the Japanese self-defense forces.
Assault rifle

The HOWA 5.56 will replace the currently in use Howa Type 89 assault rifle. In advance, the Ministry of Defense has pre-selected and obtained test samples of the three candidate candidates, SCN-L from FN HERSTAL, HK416 from HECKLER & KOCH, and HOWA 5.56 from Howa Machinery.

The decision of the Ministry of Defense was made in favor of HOWA 5.56. For the acquisition of the first lot (3,283 assault rifles), budget appropriations amounting to approx. € 8.3 million were requested for the financial year 2020.
pistol

The HK SFP 9 will replace the current service pistol SIG 220 (locally manufactured by MinebeaMitsumi). Again, a preliminary selection was made by the Ministry of Defense in advance and test patterns of the three candidate candidates, Glock 17 from GLOCK, SFP 9 from HECKLER & KOCH and APX from BERETTA, procured.

The decision finally fell on the SFP 9. For the procurement of the first lot (323 pistols), budget appropriations amounting to approx. 250,000 euros were applied for the financial year 2020.

Shinichi Kiyotani

https://esut.de/2019/12/meldungen/i...e-pistole-fuer-die-japanischen-streitkraefte/

 

[A1Kaid]

The HK VP9 is a great choice it's one of the most ergonomic pistols I've experienced. HK puts the pistols through very rigorous torture tests both hot and cold conditions. The HK MR556 is probably one the best 5.56 rifles out on the market today.

Such a good combo when you have the money to invest high quality firearms. Congrats to Japan.

 

[RescueRanger]

British Specialist Counter Terrorism Command have recently swapped from the G36 to the MCX and HK416. I have never used either, but reviews on Tactical Life Magazine were excellent.