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Czech Republic-based firearms holding group Colt CZ Group SE has acquired the intellectual property rights for the Mk 47 “Striker” automatic grenade launcher from American defence major General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.
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Colt CZ Group, through its subsidiary Colt, has acquired ownership of the Mk 47 40mm Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher system and its fire control set-up.
The MK 47 has been widely utilised as a portable 40mm grenade launcher suited for light infantry vehicles and tripod applications, not only for the US military but also for the Israel Defence Forces and Australian Defence Force. MK 47 weapon systems have seen service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
“This acquisition expands Colt CZ Group’s offerings into the segment of larger and more sophisticated weapon systems and crew-served platforms,” according to Jan Drahota, Colt CZ Group board of directors chairman and chief executive officer.
“The acquisition of this highly capable weapon system is fully in line with our group’s mission to provide innovative and high-quality products that our customers can rely on in any situation.
“Also, it will nicely complement the efforts our subsidiary SwissAA has in the production of 40mm grenades.”
The Mk 47 lightweight 40mm automatic grenade launcher functions with a standard automatic grenade launcher or programable 40mm airburst capability; it can also be mounted onto tripod, vehicle, air or watercraft.
“Colt’s manufacturing company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of firearms used by militaries around the world,” said Dennis Veilleux, Colt CZ Group North America chief executive officer and Colt CZ Group board of directors member.
“Colt has a history of producing crew-served weapons and 40mm shoulder-fired grenade launchers.
“Bringing the Mk 47 and fire control into the Colt CZ Group will allow our experienced engineering and operations team to expand its capabilities for the Future Soldier requirements.”
More than 200 MK 47 Mod 1 ADF version grenade launchers, fitted with lightweight video sights and thermal imaging, were delivered to the ADF between 2016 and 2017. Those weapons are maintained and sustained by Australian munitions company NIOA Group.
The Australian Army’s Mark 47 L40-2 lightweight automatic grenade launcher previously entered acceptance and testing trials at Port Wakefield in South Australia in September 2016, while the weapon officially entered service in November of that same year.
“NIOA introduced the MK47 Lightweight Automatic Grenade Launcher (LWAGL) under the LAND 40 Phase 2 Program in 2015 completing introduction into service activities on an accelerated two-year timeframe with first systems fielded in 2017,” according to a NIOA spokesperson.
“NIOA currently supports this fleet of weapons under sustainment arrangements with Defence and has established an in-country MK47 LWAGL maintenance and repair facility including MILIS/AIMS managed inventory and spares holding managed by a highly skilled workforce.
“As a long-standing partner of Colt, NIOA congratulates them on this acquisition and looks forward to exploring opportunities to expand the MK47 LWAGL representation.”
Late last year, Colt CZ Group also announced they had executed an agreement with CBC Europe to acquire a 100 per cent interest in Czech firearms ammunition manufacturer Sellier & Bellot.
Under that agreement, Colt CZ would acquire 100 per cent of shares of Sellier & Bellot for the combination of the cash consideration in the amount of $350 million and a new issue of Colt CZ common stock leading to a 27–28 per cent CBC stake in the share capital of Colt CZ Group post-transaction.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in various countries and is expected to close in the first half of this year.
