LMT Secures Contract for Sturmgewehr 25 Assault Rifle
Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) Defense has been awarded a significant contract to supply the Sturmgewehr 25 assault rifles to the Swiss Armed Forces. This deal entails the delivery of a 5.56×45-millimeter variant of LMT’s Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System – Light, also known as the MARS-L system. As reported by the German news agency Soldat & Technik, these advanced gas piston-operated rifles will come in both 12 and 16-inch barrel options.
While details regarding the financial terms of the contract, the total number of rifles, and the timeline for deliveries remain undisclosed, the collaboration between LMT and Swissloxx— a defense contractor based in Dietikon—aims to ensure successful project execution and integration into Swiss military operations.
Role of Sturmgewehr 25 in Swiss Military Operations
The latest information from Soldat & Technik reveals that the Sturmgewehr 25 rifles are intended primarily for use by Switzerland’s special forces units. This elite division currently operates the Sturmgewehr 90 alongside its modernized counterpart, the Sturmgewehr 07. LMT has established a strong relationship with the Swiss military, having previously supplied a more robust version of the MARS-L system, known as the Sturmgewehr 20, which is fitted for a 7.62×51 millimeter cartridge.
The Sturmgewehr 20, which features optics, is deployed within the Swiss military’s 10th Armed Forces Reconnaissance Detachment. This unit is tasked with conducting high-stakes missions, including counter-terrorism operations, as well as supporting the Special Detachment of the Military Police in domestic security efforts.
Switzerland’s Modernization Initiatives
The acquisition of the Sturmgewehr 25 occurs against a broader backdrop of Switzerland’s military modernization initiatives. Recently, the Swiss government unveiled its first Embraer Global 7500 long-range multimission aircraft, a vital addition aimed at enhancing military and federal transport capabilities.
In November 2024, officials announced the selection of the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155-millimeter artillery system to serve as the primary weapon for the Piranha IV wheeled armored vehicle. Furthermore, just six months prior, the government initiated a bidding process for advanced medium-range ground-based air defense systems to bolster its combat readiness.
