The Haenel RS9 is a

bolt action Bolt-action is a type of manual firearm action that is operated by ''directly'' manipulating the bolt via a bolt handle, which is most commonly placed on the right-hand side of the weapon (as most users are right-handed). Most bolt-actio ...

sniper rifle manufactured by

C.G. Haenel C.G. Haenel is a German weapon manufacturer located in Suhl, Germany. History The Prussian commissioner for firearms manufacturing, Carl Gottlieb Haenel, began producing bicycles and weapons in 1840 — a combination which was not uncommon at t ...

. It is the

Bundeswehr The ''Bundeswehr'' (, meaning literally: ''Federal Defence'') is the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ''Bundeswehr'' is divided into a military part (armed forces or ''Streitkräfte'') and a civil part, the military part con ...

's medium-range sniper rifle and replaces the

Accuracy International AWM The Accuracy International AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum or AI-Arctic Warfare Magnum) is a bolt-action sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International designed for magnum rifle cartridges. The Accuracy International AWM is also unofficially ...

in the

Kommando Spezialkräfte The Kommando Spezialkräfte (''Special Forces Command, KSK'') is the special forces military command of the German Army. The KSK has received decorations and awards from NATO, the United States, and its affiliates. KSK operatives have taken pa ...

and

Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine Naval Special Forces Command, also called the ("Combat Swimmers", abbreviated "KSM") or (Deployment Group 3402) are an elite special forces unit of the Germany Navy, specializing in commando and amphibious warfare operations. They are the o ...

History

The order for the medium-range sniper rifle was put out to tender by the Bundeswehr in 2014. What was required was a "medium-range sniper weapon, consisting of a rifle, aiming and aiming aids, accessories and ammunition" as a bolt-action rifle for the precise single shot in

.338 Lapua Magnum The .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6×70 mm or 8.58×70 mm) is a rimless, bottlenecked, centerfire rifle cartridge. It was developed during the 1980s as a high-powered, long-range cartridge for military snipers. It was used in the War in Afghanistan and ...

caliber including target optics and accessories. The service description called for "use in areas with climate categories A1-3, B1-3 and C0-2 according to STANAG 4370 without restriction of functionality" and "adaptability for the night vision attachment (NSV) 80 introduced in the Bundeswehr", a caliber change through replacement barrels was not part of the service description. In addition to Haenel, Unique Alpine was shortlisted with the TPG-3 A4. Haenel was awarded the contract in February 2016 and is supplying the RS9 model as the G29 rifle. The first lot includes 115 weapons.

Users

* :

and

(Bundeswehr designation G29) – .338 Lapua Magnum

References

External links

{{Current German infantry weapons .338 Lapua Magnum rifles Bolt-action rifles Post–Cold War weapons of Germany Sniper rifles of Germany Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2016