Czech firearms manufacturer Česká zbrojovka a.s. (CZ) announced on December 19, 2025, that the German Army has formally selected the CZ P13 9×19 mm pistol as its next standard-issue sidearm. The decision concludes a highly competitive international tender and marks the beginning of the gradual retirement of the P8 pistol that has served the Bundeswehr for more than two decades.
According to CZ, the selection followed extensive technical evaluations, endurance trials, and operational testing conducted by the German Army. The process highlighted Berlin’s growing emphasis on modernizing individual soldier equipment, ensuring NATO interoperability, and securing long-term sustainment solutions as part of Germany’s broader defense revitalization effort.
The adoption of the CZ P13 effectively closes the chapter on the P8, a pistol derived from the Heckler & Koch USP and introduced into German service in the late 1990s. While the P8 earned a reputation for reliability, recent Bundeswehr assessments identified shortcomings linked to its size, ergonomics, and limited compatibility with modern accessories. In particular, the lack of native support for reflex optics and modular enhancements placed the aging design at odds with contemporary operational requirements. The move to a new pistol reflects a wider trend across NATO forces toward lighter, more adaptable, and optics-ready handguns.
For CZ, the Bundeswehr contract represents a major strategic breakthrough in the European and NATO defense market. Jan Zajic, CEO and Chairman of the Board of CZ, described the decision as a defining milestone for the company. He emphasized that CZ pistols have proven themselves in demanding operational environments worldwide and stressed that the agreement should be viewed as the foundation of a long-term partnership rather than a one-time delivery. According to CZ, the focus will be on sustained performance, reliability, and comprehensive lifecycle support.
Within German service, the new handgun will be designated the P13 and chambered in the standard 9×19 mm Parabellum caliber, ensuring full compatibility with existing Bundeswehr and allied ammunition stocks. The pistol is based on the CZ P10 C OR platform, a modern striker-fired design developed specifically for military and law enforcement use. The German variant features a Flat Dark Earth finish aligned with current Bundeswehr camouflage standards, along with configuration elements tailored to national safety, durability, and acceptance requirements.
From a technical standpoint, the CZ P13 combines compact dimensions with full service-grade performance. Its polymer frame significantly reduces weight compared to the all-metal P8, an important advantage for soldiers carrying increasingly heavy combat loads. The steel slide and cold hammer-forged barrel are engineered for high round counts and reliable operation under extreme conditions, including dust, mud, moisture, and temperature extremes. The striker-fired system provides a consistent trigger pull for every shot, simplifying training and enhancing effectiveness under stress.
The pistol incorporates multiple passive safety mechanisms, including trigger, firing pin, and drop safeties, delivering a high level of operational safety without reliance on external manual controls. A high-capacity magazine offers increased on-hand firepower compared to the P8, whose magazine capacity reflected earlier design standards.
Ergonomics played a decisive role in the Bundeswehr’s evaluation. The P13 features a natural grip angle, aggressive texturing, and interchangeable backstraps to accommodate a wide range of hand sizes. Fully ambidextrous controls support both right- and left-handed users, even when wearing gloves or operating in low-visibility conditions. A low bore axis reduces muzzle rise, enabling faster follow-up shots and improved controllability during rapid engagements.
A key advantage over the outgoing P8 is the P13’s optics-ready slide, allowing direct mounting of reflex sights without major modification. This capability aligns with the Bundeswehr’s intention to future-proof its sidearm inventory as optical aiming solutions become increasingly common, particularly among specialized units. An integrated accessory rail also supports weapon lights and other accessories for urban and low-light operations.
CZ will fulfill the contract in close cooperation with its authorized German partner, POL TEC GmbH & Co., which will handle in-country delivery, training support, maintenance, and long-term sustainment. Strategically, the adoption of the CZ P13 underscores Germany’s accelerating rearmament and confirms CZ’s growing status as a trusted supplier of modern service pistols to leading armed forces.
