The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has selected German firearm manufacturer Heckler & Koch HK G28 E2 anti-personnel sniper rifles for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The G28 is a military version of the civilian semi automatic competition rifle MR308 as a stopgap for the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) deployment to the War in Afghanistan. Global open-source intelligence company Janes reported Japan’s Ground Staff Office announced the procurement of 900 G28 E2 snipers to replace the in-service M24A2 sniper rifle. The number of firearms to be procured in 2024 represents only the first batch of the total order, and decisions regarding the remaining batches will be decided after the delivery of the first batch.
The Heckler & Koch HK G28 sniper rifle is intended to extend effective range of infantry fire against enemy personnel beyond capabilities of the standard issue 5,56mm NATO assault rifles and light machine guns. The semi-automatic G28 is chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO and has a factory warrantied accuracy of 45 mm dispersion at 100 meters (0.45 mil or 1.5 moa) when fired with 10 rounds using OTM/HPBT/Sierra Match King ammunition. The G28 features STANAG 4694 NATO Accessory Rails that are backwards-compatible with the STANAG 2324/MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails. The upper receiver is made from steel instead of HK’s aluminium alloy. Approximately 75% of the parts are interchangeable with the HK417. There are two different versions of the G28: G28 E2 (Standard) with a Schmidt & Bender 3–20×50 PM II and the G28 E3 (Patrol) with Schmidt & Bender 1–8×24 PM II.
As a classic DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) in calibre 7.62 mm x 51 NATO, the G28 guarantees series-reproducible accuracy level of max. 1.5 MOA with 10 rounds of precision ammunition at 100 metres. The semi-automatic rifle is designed for an effective combat range of up to 800 metres. In precise suppressive fire, the engagement distance is around 1000 metres. The G28 therefore covers the range between assault rifle and sniper rifle. In addition, thanks to the extended barrel nut and the double handguard mount, the G28 DMR system offers a backlash-free and accurately fitting receiver connection to prevent zero shifting of tactical sighting accessories. Combined with the adjustable gas port, all the prerequisites for unrestricted night combat and silencing capability are given – decisive features for being able to dominate today’s battlefields.
The G28 system is designed to enable military and police user groups to operate with precision, in the most adverse conditions, against single targets or against technical targets such as surveillance cameras, light sources and the optics of on-board weapons on combat vehicles. In its basic configuration, the precision rifle is equipped with a telescopic sight with 3x to 20x magnification. The red-dot sight mounted on top serves as a aiming aid for faster target acquisition beyond 100 metres. For distances below the 100 metre limit, the red-dot sight can be used for close combat. Regardless of the use of special precision ammunition, the G28 ensures high ammunition compatibility with standardised NATO ammunition types. To complement the G28 base weapon, Heckler & Koch offers a predefined conversion kit for the G28 Patrol configuration. This can also be adapted at any time at the customer’s request.
