Germany Halts Army Rifle Orders Over Accuracy Doubts

Germany’s defense ministry has temporarily halted new orders of its military’s standard assault rifle over accuracy errors, Bild am Sonntag daily reported on June 22. 

The G36 automatic rifle made by Heckler and Koch is said to become inaccurate after its barrel heated up in prolonged firefights.

The government auditing body, Bundesrechnungshof has ordered an investigation, according to the report. The military initially blamed the use of inappropriate munitions.

"It is important to avoid that the defense ministry invests up to $46 million in a rifle that may not meet the requirements of the troops,” the court was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Germany’s federal criminal police, ammunition makers and ballistics experts at a scientific institute are involved in the investigation, the report added.