Gewehre und Pistolen: Heckler & Koch macht so viel Gewinn wie noch nie

Heckler & Koch, a firearms manufacturer based in Oberndorf am Neckar near Stuttgart, has recorded its highest company sales figures yet. The company, which reported a 47.1% increase in revenue for the first half of 2026, generated 263.9 million Euros, compared to 188.7 million Euros in the same period last year. The company's profit has also skyrocketed, more than tripling from 11.8 million Euros to 40.8 million Euros.

The surge in sales is primarily driven by increased defense spending by NATO countries since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Customers include not only the German Bundeswehr but also France, which has adopted a Schwarzau-made assault rifle as its standard issue, as well as neighboring countries such as Norway and Baltic states. A major order from the German military in July significantly boosted the company's sales, with the full order being fulfilled by the end of the month.

Heckler & Koch currently employs over 1400 people, with the majority working in their main factory in the northern Black Forest. The company has invested heavily in the US over the past five years, spending around 100 million Euros between 2020 and 2025. This investment will continue with another 230 million Euros slated for expenditure by the end of 2028, focusing on new machinery, modern infrastructure, and more efficient workflows.

Heckler & Koch's CEO, Jens Bodo Koch, emphasizes that innovation and growth are closely intertwined. The company manufactures assault rifles, machine guns, pistols, machine pistols, and grenade launchers, with the military and law enforcement also being significant customers. Competitors include Beretta from Italy, Colt from the US (part of the Czech CZ group), Haenel from Thuringia, and Sig Sauer from the US.