Perhaps Systema Engineering might want to go back to the drawing board to come out with another training rifle for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) right after releasing the first Type 89 PTW. The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) recently announced that they have just selected the HOWA 5.56 Assault Rifle and the Heckler & Koch SFP9 Pistol for the JGSDF. While this is good direction in having a modern weapons platform to replace the Type 89, there is no official announcement if the Type 89 rifle will be replaced by the HOWA556.

The total contract for the HOWA 5.56 rifle is said to be around JPY 3 billion or around US$27.6 Million. For the H&K SFP9, it is JPY 323 million or around US$2.9 million given the prevailing exchange rates as of this writing. There is no information on the number of units that will be delivered and if the contract covers also spare parts for these weapons.

We have been looking for information of the HOWA 5.56 as it looks like it remains secret for now. The image that we have found is a leaked image which we searched via Goggle and posted on a 4chan bulletin board. It is not confirmed if this is the HOWA 5.56. According to Militaryblog.jp, the design of the new rifle from was released last year under the “secret design” system. Information is still sparse regarding this new rifle.

Still, there were bidders for the new JGSDF rifle, as well known firearms manufacturers submitted their own entries such as Heckler & Koch of Germany with the HK416 rifle and FN Herstal of Belgium offering their SCAR-L rifle. There is now mention on how long this bidding was done and the details of testing leading to the MOD selecting the locally designed rifle.

The H&K SFP9 striker-fired 9mm pistol is more known in airsoft as the H&K VP9 with the SFP9 designation used in Europe and Canada and is a fully pre-cocked system with single-action trigger. It has built safety features such as it cannot be disassembled when a magazine is still inserted and it automatically decocks when disassembled. It uses the P30 magazines and the backstrap can be changed for the user to adjust the grip to his/her comfort.

Other submissions for the pistol component of the weapons supply contract are the APX by Beretta of Italy, and the Glock 17 by the Austrian company GLOCK.

No information on when the companies that will supply the new rifle and pistol will start delivering the contract requirements.