WDS 2026: Czech KOLARMIS Unveils New SAW .50 Heavy Machine Gun in 12.7mm.

Czech defense manufacturer KOLARMIS unveiled its new SAW .50 machine gun at World Defense Show 2026, marking the weapon’s first global appearance. Chambered in 12.7 x 99 mm, the heavy machine gun is aimed at long-range fire support missions across ground and vehicle-mounted roles.

At World Defense Show 2026, Czech company KOLARMIS introduced its SAW .50 heavy machine gun to the international defense market for the first time. Presented as a new product for 2026, the belt-fed weapon is chambered in 12.7 x 99 mm NATO, placing it in the same category as other established heavy machine guns used for long-range suppression, anti-materiel tasks, and vehicle integration. Built around a large-caliber platform, the SAW .50 is designed to deliver sustained fire at extended distances, a capability increasingly sought by armed forces operating in open terrain and counter-drone environments.
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The Czech KOLARMIS SAW .50 Heavy Machine Gun in 12.7mm at WDS 2026 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The SAW .50 uses the 12.7 x 99 mm cartridge, a widely adopted standard among armed forces, particularly for heavy machine guns and certain large-caliber precision systems. This type of ammunition is generally employed for missions requiring the neutralization of lightly armored targets, fortified positions, or equipment at medium and long distances. The weapon operates on a short recoil principle, a system in which the barrel and bolt recoil together over a short distance before separating, allowing the automatic reloading cycle to continue.

According to the specifications provided by the manufacturer, the overall length of the SAW .50 is 1,650 mm. The barrel length is 1,030 mm, a configuration that supports ballistic stability of the projectile over extended distances. The total weight is stated as 38 kilograms, placing this machine gun in the category of heavy systems requiring an appropriate support structure, such as a tripod or vehicle mounting. Visual materials show the weapon mounted on a tripod, indicating its intended use for fixed or semi-mobile fire support roles.

The magazine capacity is listed as 50 rounds. This capacity, combined with an ammunition feed system suited to the 12.7 x 99 mm caliber, enables sustained firing sequences while maintaining control over ammunition expenditure. The cyclic rate of fire is specified between 550 and 600 rounds per minute. This rate aligns with other contemporary heavy machine guns of the same caliber, offering a balance between firepower and barrel heat management.

The maximum range is given as 6,000 meters. This figure corresponds to the theoretical maximum distance the projectile can reach under optimal ballistic conditions and appropriate elevation. In operational use, the effective range depends on several factors, including sighting systems, weather conditions, operator training, and target characteristics. Nevertheless, a maximum range of 6,000 meters indicates a long-distance engagement capability suitable for area coverage or area denial missions.

The SAW .50 offers two firing modes: single-shot and fully automatic. This dual configuration allows adaptation to different tactical scenarios. Semi-automatic fire supports precision and ammunition control, while automatic fire addresses requirements for sustained or suppressive fire. The barrel features eight grooves, a characteristic that contributes to the gyroscopic stabilization of the projectile during flight.

The technical data presented by KOLARMIS positions the SAW .50 as a heavy machine gun aligned with current standards in the 12.7 mm weapons segment. Its 12.7 x 99 mm caliber, cyclic rate of 550 to 600 rounds per minute, and maximum range of 6,000 meters indicate a focus on long-range fire support, particularly against material targets or entrenched positions.

As a Czech manufacturer, KOLARMIS operates within an industrial environment shaped by a longstanding tradition of small arms production in Central Europe. The presentation of the SAW .50 at WDS 2026 reflects an intention to gain visibility in international markets. The future distribution of this machine gun will depend on export authorizations, commercial agreements concluded by the company, and operational requirements expressed by potential customers. In a context where the 12.7 x 99 mm caliber remains widely used worldwide, KOLARMIS’s ability to secure contracts in a competitive market will determine the extent of the SAW .50’s international presence.