Germany has selected Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod (CZUB), a prominent Czech defense manufacturer, to supply its armed forces with a new generation of standard service pistols, marking a significant shift from the current Heckler & Koch P8 sidearm.
The upcoming weapon, the P13 semi-automatic handgun, is chambered for 9×19mm rounds and is designed to replace the P8, which has served as the Bundeswehr’s main sidearm for years. The selection of CZUB followed a formal competitive bidding process that included Slovenia’s Arex and Austria’s Glock. According to the German defense news agency Hartpunkt, the final decision was based primarily on cost-effectiveness, with no live-fire trials conducted during the evaluation phase.
The German government is currently drafting a 25-million-euro ($29.2 million) funding proposal, which is anticipated to be presented to Germany’s federal parliament (Bundestag) before autumn 2025. If approved, the agreement will span up to seven years, during which as many as 186,000 P13 pistols will be delivered to various branches of the armed forces.
The P13 handgun offers an effective range of approximately 50 meters (164 feet), aligning with standard combat and security needs. In terms of deployment logistics, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment noted that newly designed carrying gear will accompany the pistols to support diverse transport styles across military personnel. However, the holster bodies themselves are not included in the contract. Instead, they will be adapted to fit the new gear using a predefined interface, ensuring flexibility in integration and usability.
This development strengthens Germany’s defense ties with neighboring Czechia and modernizes its small arms inventory in line with evolving operational demands.
