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G36 Assault Rifle

The G36 assault rifle was designed by the Heckler & Koch company in the 1990s in Germany to replace the old HK G3. Its development was based on the need of the German Bundeswehr and the Spanish Armed Forces to replace their regulation rifles. In the Spanish case of the old veteran CETME rifle and in the German case the HK G3 rifle.

Initially known as the HK 50 project, the G36 rifle did not have a completely new design, but rather started from the basis and characteristics of other older designs, although adding innovative modifications.

 

Ametralladora MG36
MG36 machine gun

The G36 is an assault rifle that fires standard 5.56 x 45 NATO ammunition, and can fire up to 750 shots per minute. You can do it in semi-automatic mode or in bursts, thanks to a selector lever on the trigger. On the other hand, the short-stroke gas piston system it uses keeps the receiver very clean, which prevents jamming. This makes cleaning it not necessary until after very continuous use.

Miembro del Grupo de Operaciones Especiales en Afganistan equipado con una carabina G36K
Member of the Special Operations Group in Afghanistan equipped with a G36K carbine

VARIANTS

There are four main versions that can be found of the G36. Each of them differs only in the weight and length of the barrel and handguard.

  • G36 – Main Version:
    It can fire standard NATO rifle grenades and can be fitted with a knife-bayonet. In addition, 100-round magazines, a bipod and the 40 mm AG36 grenade launcher can be attached
  • G36K – Carbine Version:
    It has a shorter barrel and handguard. It has the possibility of folding the stock, making it ideal for closed spaces such as vehicles.
  • G36C – Compact version:
    It has a very short barrel and handguard. In fact, it is the shortest 5.56mm carbine today. Therefore, it is ideal for operations in confined spaces or in those situations where firepower and very compact weapons are required.
  • MG36 – Light Machine Gun:
    Despite being the same length as the main version of the G36, the MG36 includes a heavier barrel, bipod and one hundred round magazine as standard.
Rifle G36 con lanzagranadas AG36
G36 rifle with AG36 grenade launcher

USE IN SPAIN

In Spain the G36 assault rifle is mainly used by the following forces and units:

  • Spanish Armed Forces:
    Army, Navy and Air Force since 1999 replacing the CETME L. They use all variants of the G36 with all types of accessories.
  • Special Operations Group (GEO):
    Special forces unit of the National Police Corps. They use the G36 with the AG36 grenade launcher attached.
  • Police Intervention Unit (UIP):
    Unit of the National Police Corps that uses the G36C.
  • Rapid Action Group (GAR):
    Anti-terrorist fighting unit of the Civil Guard that uses the G36K version.
  • Reserve and Security Group (GRS):
    Reserve unit, support for territorial units and anti-riot action of the Civil Guard that also uses the G36K version.
Agentes del Cuerpo Nacional de Policia en un entrentamiento con rifle G36C
Agents of the National Police Corps in a confrontation with a G36C rifle

Currently, the G36 rifle has been selected to be an integral part of the Comfut initiative, to create the future Spanish fighter. Specifically, it is about attaching a whole series of high-tech accessories and devices with which to help combatants and greatly improve their efficiency and reaction on the combat field.