STV Gun Models "Made by Vietnam" Displayed at the 2024 International Defense Exhibition

24 Desember 2024

The display of infantry weapons, including the STV submachine gun line, attracted many people to visit and experience (photo: BaoQDND)

In the Vietnam Defense Industry exhibition space at the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, there are STV submachine gun variants.

STV stands for “Vietnamese submachine gun”, designed by the Institute of Weapons and produced by Factory Z111 (both under the General Department of Defense Industry). The gun is designed based on the Galil ACE gun model of the IWI Group (Israel), which signed a technology transfer contract with Vietnam. From 2022, versions of this gun line will begin to be equipped in some military units, gradually replacing the traditional AK submachine gun, which has been used for decades in Vietnam.

Display area of ​​STV gun models of the General Department of Defense Industry at the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 (photo: BaoQDND)

It is known that Factory Z111 has produced many different versions of the STV gun and at this exhibition, the models STV380, STV410, STV416, STV022, STV215 are displayed. The most common feature of the STV gun line is that it uses 7.62x39mm ammunition and can use any standard AK-47/AKM magazine... In terms of design, they all have a loading lever on the right side and a traditional AK-style lever on the right side. The gun handle and handguard are made of polymer and all have a compact, convenient folding stock, allowing for quick operation.

STV380 gun version (photo: BaoQDND)

First is the STV380. The gun weighs 3.6kg empty and 4.1kg loaded, each magazine has 30 rounds, muzzle velocity of 715m/s with a range of 300m and a rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute. The gun is 900mm long when the stock is open, 600mm when the stock is folded, and the barrel length is 380mm. The gun is designed according to the principle of extracting gunpowder gas to automatically reload for the next shot. The gun has a rail for mounting day-night sights and flashlights.

The STV215 is the carbine version of the STV380 (photo: BaoQDND)

Meanwhile, the STV215 is the carbine version of the STV380 and will be equipped for special forces such as commandos, border guards, etc.; and the STV022 has the stock removed, becoming the most compact variant in the STV series, designed for guards, escorts, reconnaissance, armored vehicles, helicopter pilots, etc. The STV215 and STV022 submachine guns both have a barrel length of 215mm, and a muzzle velocity of 615m/s. They also have the same operating principle as the STV380. However, the STV215's firing range is only effective within about 250m, and it weighs 3.7kg when loaded, while the STV022  is an improvement of the previous two types, so it is lighter, shorter, and each magazine only has 15 rounds.

STV022 submachine gun (photo: BaoQDND)

Meanwhile, the STV410 has a barrel lengthened from 380mm to 410mm, while the STV416 has a barrel length of 416mm - the longest barreled STV model. The longer barrel allows for a more accurate, taut trajectory, as well as a higher muzzle velocity than the STV380.

STV410 gun model (photo: BaoQDND)

In addition, the STV410 gun also integrates a picatinny rail that allows the gun to mount many accessories such as optical sights, red dot sights, grenade launchers, flashlights, lasers, and bipods. The breech cover is fixed through a latch mechanism, thereby increasing the gun's multi-tasking ability and creating stability. The two guns have a more modern appearance than the STV380.

The STV416 is the only exception in the STV series of guns that does not have any picatinny rails installed (photo: BaoQDND)

The most noticeable point of the STV410 gun compared to the STV380 is the picatinny rail on the back of the gun running continuously from the handguard to the end of the breech cover (not interrupted like on the STV215/380 and there will be more positions to install accessories) and the gun's sight is also pulled to the end of the breech cover. Not only that, the 45-degree AKM-1-style gas intake combined with the new-style sight head, the leaf-type sight is moved to the end of the breech box, making the shooter take aim faster and more accurately.

Meanwhile, the STV416 is the only exception in the STV series of guns that does not have any picatinny rails installed.

(QDND)