Colt CZ Group Secures Montenegro Military Contract, Marking CZ BREN 3
Colt CZ Group will supply small arms, ammunition, and accessories to Montenegro's Armed Forces under an intergovernmental defense cooperation agreement between the Czech Republic and Montenegro, the company announced July 24, 2026. The contract marks the first adoption of the CZ BREN 3 rifle by a NATO member state.
The implementing arrangement includes deliveries of CZ BREN 3 rifles, pistols, sniper rifles, submachine guns, accessories, and small-caliber ammunition from Česká zbrojovka, Sellier & Bellot, and 4M Systems, according to the company's statement.
The Montenegro contract represents a milestone for the CZ BREN 3 platform. Radek Musil, CEO of Colt CZ Group, stated the adoption confirms trust in the rifle's quality and the Czech defense industry. The rifle will enter service with Montenegro's military under the agreement signed during Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić's official visit to the Czech Republic.
Czech state-owned enterprise LOM PRAHA will serve as system integrator for the project, while Colt CZ Group functions as the industrial partner. The contract encompasses multiple product lines from Colt CZ Group's portfolio. Česká zbrojovka produces the rifles and sidearms, Sellier & Bellot supplies ammunition, and 4M Systems provides tactical accessories. The multi-brand approach reflects the Group's vertically integrated manufacturing capability.
While the selection of the Bren 3 by a NATO member state is significant the scale of the contract is relatively small. Montenegro joined NATO in 2017, after gaining its independence from Serbia in 2006. The Montenegrin Armed Forces number approximately 2,300 active personnel operating on a limited defense budget. Montenegro's ground forces currently use HK G36s and TARA TM-4s as their standard issue service rifles. It's unclear if the Colt CZ Group weapons will become standard issue across the Montenegrin Armed Forces, if this occurs it will represent a rationalisation of Montenegro's small arms inventory all under one provider.
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The BREN 2 "Pistols" in the US are excellent platforms. (Don't buy the carbine version) The only weakness is the factory handguard, which can be fixed with a HB Industries unit. The weapons are well made, durable and lightweight. The folding stocks are sturdy as well. The BREN 3 has a different handguard, but I have zero experience with these units. I like the piston system better than the unit in the HK 416/433 as it's simpler and more robust.
The Bren 2 has been an outstanding weapon.