Germany company Diehl Defence has signed an agreement with Rippel Effect to jointly market the South African company’s 40 mm grenade launchers.
Diehl and Rippel Effect Systems (RES) will qualify Diehl’s 40 mm medium-velocity ammunition for Rippel Effect’s XRGL40 and UBL40 grenade launchers, according to Diehl Defence.
“Deployment of our insensitive infantry ammunition in two further grenade launchers belonging to the best worldwide, is a big vote of confidence for us enhancing the export opportunities of our proven 40 mm ammunition family”, said Franz Kienzler, Head of the Business Unit Land Forces of Diehl BGT Defence.
“Our compact and light grenade launchers, combined with Diehl’s ammunition, achieve an additional competitive advantage benefiting infantry and special forces in their struggle against terror and violence”, added Fritz Visser, CEO of Rippel Effect Systems..
Both partners agreed to offer complete weapon systems, consisting of the grenade launcher and ammunition, in certain core markets as part of the agreement.
RES manufactures 40 mm multi-shot grenade launchers, certified to fire both low and medium velocity rounds. Its XRGL40 extended grenade launcher also fires less-than-lethal riot/crowd control ammunition, including rubber, ball, soft-nose, illuminating and smoke grenades.
The company also offers its UBL40 under-barrel grenade launcher for assault rifles and its GR40 electronically programmable sighting system, able to distinguish between the use of low- and medium velocity ammunition.
Rippel Effect says it has exported thousands of 40 mm grenade launchers to more than 30 countries around the world.
Diehl is involved in South Africa through the supply of IRIS-T air-to-air missiles for the South African Air Force’s 26 Gripen fighter jets. The first missiles were delivered in 2009. Diehl has also test-fired its missiles (including the IRIS-T Surface Launch) at Denel’s Overberg Test Range in the southern Cape.
According to Jane’s, Diehl has previously partnered with Denel over artillery ammunition.
