French Firm Nexter P20 Finds it ‘First Success’ in Germany
P20 is a pintle-mounted system equipped with 20mm cannon, which can be used to arm all types of light 4×4 vehicles
Germany’s Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) notified France’s Nexter of a procurement contract for 7 P20 assemblies on 2 March 2020.
The P20 is a pintle-mounted system equipped with 20mm cannon, which can be used to arm all types of light 4×4 vehicles. It is perfectly suited to ground-to-ground and ground-to-air missions of close fire support, urban combat, protection, self-defence or intimidation. This assembly uses the 20M621 gas operated gun conceived by Nexter’s teams in Bourges, renowned for its ease of use and maintenance, and fires 20×102 ammunition to NATO or M50 standards.
The P20 is an entry-level manual solution that provides the explosive and armour-piercing power of the 20mm calibre. This is why the BAAINBw has chosen the P20 to carry out a first experiment in Germany. Two complementary consultations are expected in the near future: a call for tender for 20×102 ammunition and a second contract by 2021-2022 for additional P20 guns for the German Special Forces. This contract is a major first for Nexter, as it is the first equipment contract for the Bundeswehr signed by the group.
“In this campaign, Nexter has benefited from the invaluable assistance of Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann (KMW), its partner in KNDS, which was able to accompany the Nexter teams in charge of the offer throughout the public consultation and negotiations,” a press note from Nexter read.
Nexter, the French land defence company and third European player in the ammunition sector is part of the KNDS Group. The scope of its business includes as well the supply of weapon systems and ammunition for air and naval forces. Nexter also provides systems and protection solutions in the field of homeland security. The group continues to apply its international development policy with 52% of the order intake in 2018 intended for the export market. In France, Nexter is working on the SCORPION program, through the upgrade of the Leclerc tank and the development of the VBMR Griffon and EBRC Jaguar vehicles within the temporary business venture between Nexter, Thales and Arquus, as well as the Lightweight VBMR. The group’s range of products also includes TITUS® and VBCI armored vehicles, CAESAR® and 105LG1 artillery systems, smart ammunition (BONUS), robots, many equipment, as well as customer service, support and revaluation.