Bundeswehr to Begin Rearmament With New P13 Pistols

The Bundeswehr has completed testing of the new standard-issue P13 pistol, which will begin to be distributed to troops in the coming months and will gradually replace the P8, which has been in service since 1994.

This was announced by the Bundeswehr. The new P13 is based on the Czech CZ P-10 C OR chambered for the 9×19 mm cartridge and is intended to re-equip the German armed forces.

The pistol passed the final series of tests conducted by the Bundeswehr’s Federal Office for Armaments, Information Technology, and In-Service Support. Based on the results, the weapon was deemed suitable for military use, paving the way for mass production.

The P13 has a 15-round magazine, weighs about 760 grams without ammunition, and is equipped with a 102 mm-long barrel. The design also allows for the attachment of optical sights.

One of the main differences from the P8 is the striker-fired trigger mechanism. On the P13, the trigger pull remains approximately the same for each shot and is about 2.3 kg.

By comparison, the P8’s trigger requires a force of about 5.1 kg for the first shot and about 2 kg for subsequent shots. The Bundeswehr expects that a consistent trigger pull will simplify handling of the weapon and increase the likelihood of an accurate first shot.

The pistol also features interchangeable grip panels, allowing it to be adapted to the specific hand of each service member.

According to the Bundeswehr, the P13 is designed for operation in high and low temperatures and under prolonged stress. Its modular design allows it to be adapted for various missions.

The new pistol will be supplied in Flat Dark Earth color. The Bundeswehr notes that this finish, among other things, is intended to reduce the weapon’s infrared signature.

Replacement for the P8

The P13 is set to gradually replace the standard-issue P8, which was adopted by the Bundeswehr in 1994. The P8 is a military version of the Heckler & Koch USP pistol.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that Germany had selected the Czech CZ P13 pistol as the Bundeswehr’s new standard-issue sidearm.

At that time, the focus was on selecting the system and preparing for the re-equipment of the German military.

The current phase marks the transition from selection and contracting to the actual re-equipment of units: the Bundeswehr has completed testing of the P13 and is preparing for serial deliveries.

The supplier of the new weapons is the German company POL-TEC, which is a partner of the Czech manufacturer Česká zbrojovka. It is CZ that manufactures the base model, the P-10 C OR.

The Bundestag’s Budget Committee approved funding for the program in November 2025, after which a contract was signed for the supply of the new pistols.

The framework agreement provides for the purchase of up to 203,000 P13s, while the initial order covers 65,000 pistols along with related equipment and services.