Ukraine’s Elite Troops Receive Germany’s Cutting-Edge Heckler & Koch G95 Rifles

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces have received German-made Heckler & Koch G95 assault rifles, the same next-generation weapons being introduced into service with Germany’s Bundeswehr.

According to Militarnyi on October 26, a Ukrainian special forces servicemember confirmed that the rifles are already in use and shared his assessment of their performance.

The servicemember described the G95 as reliable, easy to maintain, and comfortable to operate, highlighting its smooth trigger and manageable recoil. He also rated the German rifle more favorably than the American M4A1. The number of rifles delivered to Ukrainian forces remains unknown, as does the specific military assistance package through which they were supplied.

The G95 is based on Heckler & Koch’s HK416 platform, which has been adopted by military and special operations units in several countries. Chambered in NATO-standard 5.56×45 mm ammunition, the rifle is part of Germany’s transition away from the G36, which has served as the Bundeswehr’s standard infantry weapon for decades.

Germany began delivering the first production G95 rifles to its combat units in December 2025.

The Bundeswehr is introducing two principal configurations: the G95A1, equipped with a 419 mm barrel, and the shorter G95KA1, featuring a 355 mm barrel. The compact variant is expected to become the primary configuration for most German military personnel. The rifles weigh approximately 3.4 kg and 3.3 kg, respectively, without additional equipment.

Both versions use a short-stroke gas piston operating system with a rotating bolt. Their technical specifications include a firing rate of approximately 850 rounds per minute and a stated effective range of up to 450 meters.

Earlier, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces were reported to be using German-made Haenel HLR 338 sniper rifles, designed for long-range engagements at distances of up to 1,500 meters. As of January 2025, Ukraine had officially received nearly 500 of these rifles and approximately 500,000 rounds of ammunition.

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