The French special forces unit GIGN (Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) and Swiss ammunition manufacturer SwissP Defence have officially signed a partnership agreement. The two partners are working together on the development of a new cartridge: the 6.5 Grendel, designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern special forces.
The 6.5 Grendel combines maximum accuracy, improved range and optimised ballistic performance to meet the operational requirements of the GIGN. Initially produced in three proven variants – FMJ, Styx Action and Target – the new cartridge will be presented to the public for the first time at SOFINS 2025 in early April.
“This cooperation is an important step in the further development of our ammunition technology,” says the CEO of SwissP Defence. “The GIGN is one of the world’s leading special forces and places the highest demands on its equipment. Together we are creating a cartridge that sets new standards in performance and reliability”.
A GIGN representative adds: “Working closely with SwissP Defence allows us to develop a customised solution that further enhances our operational capability. The 6.5 Grendel will be a decisive factor for future operations”.
The partnership underlines SwissP Defence’s commitment to developing state-of-the-art ammunition for tactical forces and driving innovation in ballistic performance.
The GIGN is a French special unit responsible for combating terrorism and organised crime. It was founded in 1974 and is a highly qualified and well-equipped unit. Its members undergo rigorous training over several years. GIGN is an important part of the French security forces. It helps to ensure the security of the French population.
