This is a list of weapons utilized by the armed forces of West Germany. West Germany was formed as a result of the division of Germany following World War II. Following a 10 year period of demilitarization, the Federal Republic of Germany rearmed and joined NATO in 1955. As a frontline state bordering the Iron Curtain, West Germany's Cold War arsenal drew on both domestically developed weaponry as well as extensive imports from NATO allies, particularly the United States.
Small arms
Rifles FN FAL- Adopted in 1956 following the beginning of West Germany's rearmament in 1955 and designated G1. Replaced by the G3 beginning in 1959. Heckler & Koch G3- West Germany's primary service rifle from its entry into service in 1959 until its replacement in the 1990s.
Sniper rifles G3SG/1 - Developed in 1972 and based on the G3 battle rifle, this served as Germany's primary sniper rifle. Replaced by the MSG90 beginning in 1990.
Sidearms Walther P38- Reintroduced from WWII in 1957 and saw service until 1963. Replaced by the P1, an improved variant that served as the West Germany's standard-issue sidearm for the remainder of the Cold War.
Submachine guns Walther MP - Developed in 1963. Largely outclassed and replaced by the MP5. Heckler & Koch MP5 - Developed in 1966, this would go on to serve as West Germany's primary submachine gun.
Machine guns Rheinmetall MG 3- Modernized variant of the WWII-era MG 42. Served as West Germany's primary general-purpose machine gun from the late 1950s onward. Heckler & Koch HK21 - A general-purpose machine gun developed in 1961 based on the G3 battle rifle.
Grenade launchers Heckler & Koch HK69A1 - A 40 mm standalone grenade launcher created in 1979 and adopted into service with the German Army in the 1980s.
Anti-tank weapons PzF 44 MILAN
Artillery
Towed M114 155 mm howitzer FH70
Self-propelled M7 Priest - M7B2 variant. M44 self-propelled howitzer M52 self-propelled howitzer M55 self-propelled howitzer M107 self-propelled gun M109 self-propelled howitzer M110 self-propelled howitzer
Self-propelled rocket artillery Light Artillery Rocket System
Anti-aircraft
Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns M16 multiple gun motor carriage - M16A1 variant. M42 Duster Flakpanzer Gepard
Surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems MIM-23 HAWK Roland
Armored fighting vehicles (AFVs)
Main battle tanks M47 Patton M48 Patton Leopard 1 Leopard 2
Light tanks M41 Walker Bulldog
Tank destroyers Kanonenjagdpanzer Raketenjagdpanzer 1 Raketenjagdpanzer 2 Jaguar 1 Jaguar 2
Infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz Schützenpanzer Lang HS.30 Marder (IFV)
Armored personnel carriers (APCs) M113 Transportpanzer Fuchs
Armored weapons carriers (AWCs) Wiesel AWC
Reconnaissance vehicles Spähpanzer Luchs
References