Brügger & Thomet GL-06

• Name — Brügger & Thomet GL06 • Origin — Switzerland • Type — Grenade launcher Riot gun • Is Ranged — yes • Is Explosive — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Designer — Brügger & Thomet • Design Date — 2006 • Manufacturer — Brügger & Thomet • Variants — LL06 • Weight — 2.05 kg • Length — 590 mm stock extended / 385 mm stock folded • Part Length — 280 mm • Width — 60 mm stock extended / 95 mm stock folded • Height — 200 mm • Caliber — 40×46 mm • Action — Break action • Velocity — 85 m/s • Range — 300 m • Feed — Breech-loaded, single-shot • Sights — Ghost ring iron sights 339 mm sight radius Picatinny rail

The GL06 was developed in 2006 in response to a request from the French National Police which sought to obtain a less-lethal weapon for anti-riot application with the particular need for pin-point accuracy at standoff ranges (beyond 40 m for such scenarios) when firing impact rounds. The Thun-based Brügger & Thomet (B&T) company provided its client with both a weapon and a special round, with the added benefit of compatibility with a wide array of lethal and less-lethal ammunition produced in the 40 mm low-velocity class.

The GL06 is a stand-alone shoulder-firing weapon intended for military and police applications. A special "less-lethal" version of GL06 was produced as the LL06. Although the LL06 was marketed as a variation of the GL06, the only difference is the bright yellow color of the frame, compared to the standard black of the GL06. Both weapons are fully capable of firing a complete range of lethal and less-lethal 40×46 mm ammunition. The GL06 is lighter and more compact than other stand-alone weapons of the same class (such as the US M79 or German HK69A1), yet it is capable of greater accuracy, tactical flexibility and has good ergonomics.

The GL06 is also produced by four different manufacturers around the world.

• Illustration — Map with Brügger & Thomet GL06 users in blue • Illustration — GL06 in use during the yellow vests protests in France • Canada: several police departments: Sûreté du Québec (SR), Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, Toronto Police Service • Estonia: Estonian Defence Forces • France: Police Nationale (since 2008), Gendarmerie Nationale and others • Hungary: Hungary Police • Iceland: Viking Squad • Ireland: Garda Síochána: Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and Armed Support Units (ASU) • Kazakhstan: Kazakh Police • Kuwait: Kuwait Police • Lithuania: Lithuanian Police • New Zealand: New Zealand Police • Poland: Policja • Slovenia: Slovenian National Police Force • Spain: Mossos d'Esquadra, Ertzaintza • Sweden: Swedish Police Authority • Switzerland: several police departments •: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Between one and seven B&T Gl-06 and LL-06 have been exported in other countries: Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Island, Serbia, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Portugal, Oman, South Africa, Malaysia, Kenya and United Arab Emirates.