Germany has partnered with Czech firearms manufacturer Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod (CZUB) to provide new sidearms for its military forces. The agreement involves supplying the P13 pistol, a 9×19mm weapon system set to replace the German military’s existing Heckler & Koch P8 service pistol.
CZUB emerged victorious in a competitive bidding process against Slovenia’s Arex and Austria’s Glock, with cost-effectiveness playing a key role in the selection, as reported by German media outlet Hartpunkt. The procurement process notably did not include live-fire testing or field trials, according to the same source.
German officials are preparing a 25 million euro ($29.2 million) contract proposal for parliamentary review before autumn. Upon approval, the agreement would span up to seven years, with CZUB delivering as many as 186,000 P13 pistols.
The weapon offers an effective range of roughly 50 meters (164 feet) in operational use. According to the German Federal Armed Forces Office’s December 2024 project announcement, the carrying system will accommodate various transport methods and carrying preferences for the new pistol. The procurement specifically excludes holster bodies, which will connect to the carrying equipment through a standardized interface system.
