The G36 series carbines were put into service in the Spanish Armed Forces and Police in the late 1990s. Since then, more than 70,000 of these carbines are still in service, the oldest of which is almost 20 years old. Despite the lack of problems with their G36 that were observed by, for example the Bundeswehr (overheating of weapons in high temperatures, loss of accuracy), the Spanish Armed Forces decided to investigate these issues themselves. It seems that the result of this research can be announced during the recent FEINDEF conference in Madrid, in a form of a modernization program of the G36 carbines by Steyr and Wilcox.
The cooperation of companies from Austria and the USA has resulted in a modernization package that includes:
- a new aluminum receiver
- a cold forged steel barrel
- a new buttstock
- a new magazine well adapted for the STANAG magazines
- elements of the Wilcox Fusion System front design include, among other things, a Surefire tactical light mount, an electro-optical sight with a magnifying attachment and an IR illuminator.
All modernization measures are aimed at extending the lifetime of the Spanish carbines, minimizing the risk of overheating and stiffening and strengthening the whole design. The modernization plan, according to the Spanish government, is a cheaper and better solution than purchasing a new small arms system for its soldiers and officers. At the moment, the value of a potential contract for Steyr and Wilcox is unknown, as well as the date of commencing the modernization plan.
Spurces: joint-forces.com, thefirearmblog.com
