The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic Received First Lot of CZ 805 BREN Rifles

The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic received the first 505 CZ 805 assaults rifles and twenty grenade launchers in Štěpánov, within the Olomouc district. The first staff to get their hands on these new arms will be the members of 7th Mechanised Brigade and the 4th Rapid Response Brigade. They should be using this materiel mainly on foreign missions, to head for Afghanistan after proper training.

The Armed Forces finally received their new materiel to replace the submachine gun Sa vz. 58 after several decades. “The new assault rifles are being supplied to the Armed Forces after about 30 or 40 years," said the Force Development Section Director, Mr. Bohuslav Dvořák.
According to the information provided by the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, the troops should be receiving their rifles during the second half of August and the beginning of September. They need to familiarise themselves with the assault rifles, before they are able deploy those in missions. “Both brigades will be subject to re-armament on parallel basis, as they are both concerned with tasks on foreign operations. The main requirement stipulates that the troops get their weapons as soon as possible to gain sufficient space and time to master their control to cater for deployment of this materiel on foreign operations," informed the Ground Forces Director, Mr. Ivo Střecha. The weapons will enhance the troops’ self-confidence in his opinion.

Česká zbrojovka a.s. and the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic signed the contract on purchase of 7,800 pcs of weapon kits intended for the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic on 18th March 2010 pursuant to results of the relevant tender. Česká zbrojovka a.s. will supply the Armed Forces with the total of 6,687 pcs of assault rifles type CZ 805 BREN A1, calibre 5.56 x 45 mm and 1,250 pcs of assault rifles type CZ 805 BREN A2, calibre 5.56 x 45 mm, the shortened version – carbines, including accessories. The delivery shall also include the ventral grenade launchers type CZ 805 G1, calibre 40 x 46 mm, daytime and night sighting systems and pointers.
Česká zbrojovka a.s. also signed the contract for delivery of 5,570 pcs of self-loading pistols, calibre 9 x 19 mm, type CZ 75 SP-01 PHANTOM with accessories, tactical flashlights, spare parts and repair kits. The contract also contains provisions on delivery of 572 pcs of fully automatic personal weapons (PDW category) type CZ SCORPION EVO 3 A1, calibre 9x19 mm, with accessories. These weapons will be delivered together with tactical flashlights and sights, maintenance kits, spare part kits and ammunition.