Z111 Factory

The Z111 Factory (Vietnamese: Nhà máy Z111) is a small arms factory located in Thanh Hoá, Vietnam.[1]

Z111 Factory
TypeState-owned enterprise
IndustryArms industry
HeadquartersThanh Hóa,
Thanh Hóa Province
,
Vietnam
Area served
Vietnam
OwnerVietnamese Ministry of Defence

The Z111 Factory was built in 1957, and was originally called "Z1 Factory".[2] A part of this factory named Factory 1 was built by the Israeli firearms company, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). It is wholly owned by the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence, and the factory produces arms for the People's Army of Vietnam. [1][3]

History

Built in 1957 under the name "Z1 Factory", the factory became a cradle of the small arms industry in Vietnam.[4] Z1 factory specialized in producing small arms for the Vietnam People's Army during the Vietnam War, and created locally modified firearms for its army, such as K-50M submachine gun based on the PPSh-41 and MAT-49

One of the weapons to come from the Z111 Factory is the M18, reconditioned from XM177E2s seized during the Vietnam War since 2010.[1][5] They are known to be used by Vietnamese special forces personnel and officers from the Vietnam Coast Guard[6] due to its compact size.[7]

On February 3, 2014, IWI entered into an agreement with Vietnam to produce the IWI ACE under license.[8] Production was made in a joint production facility.[9]

An improved version of the K-54 pistol[lower-alpha 1] is locally produced under the name of "K14-VN". They are upgraded with an increased capacity of 13 rounds, and a wider grip to incorporate a double stack magazine.[10][11] Research and development started in 2001.[12] The K14-VN began to see service with PAVN forces on May 10, 2014.[13]

In 2015, the Z111 Factory announced that they would produce the new STL-1A rifle.[14] This would mainly be done through converting and upgrading the old AKMs under the new name, but they would also produce entirely new STL-1A rifles. The updated rifle included: New polymer handguards, a folding buttstock, a new ergonomic pistol grip, and an updated muzzle brake similar to those found on the AK-74.[15] A notable change was that it also allowed the use of M203 grenade launchers that are also being produced in Vietnam, replacing the GP-25/GP-34 grenade launchers on the original AKMs. The rifle however, still uses the dovetail side-mount for attaching sights. Overall, the rifle highly resembles an AK-103.[16]

In January 2018, the OSV-96 is reported to be made under license in Vietnam.[17]

In 2019, the factory revealed the new STV Rifles. They are the STV-215, and the STV-380. Both of them were designated to be the new standard issued rifles for the Vietnam People's Army. IWI Jericho 941 pistols were also reported being manufactured.[18][19]

In 2020, the factory revealed two more variants of the STV Rifles. They are named the STV-410 and the STV-416.[20][21]

Products
Model Image Type Calibre Notes
Pistols
K14-VN Semi-automatic pistol 7.62×25mm Tokarev Vietnamese variant of the K-54, this version is improved with a longer barrel, a rubber grip, and a double-stack magazine that holds an increased capacity of 13 rounds.[10]
IWI Jericho 941 Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum Pistols are manufactured with a steel frame.[22]
Assault Rifles
M18 Carbine 5.56×45mm NATO Reconditioned version of the CAR-15, it is used by Special forces and Marines.[23]
IWI ACE 31/32 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Manufactured under IWI license, all rifles produced here have their charging handle relocated from the left side onto the right side.

There are rumors that production has ceased in favor of the new Vietnamese designed STV Rifles.[24]

STV-215 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Standard issued rifle. Carbine version with a 215mm barrel length.[18]
STV-380 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Standard issued rifle for Vietnam People's Army. Based on IWI ACE and STL-1A. See STV Rifles for more.[25]
STV-410 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Handguard, Gas Block, and Stock adjustments. 410mm barrel. See STV-410 for more info.[20][21]
STV-416 Assault rifle 7.62x39mm Handguard, Gas Block, and Stock adjustments. See STV-416 for more info.[21]
STL-1A Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Old AKMs are converted into the STL-1A[15]
AK-47 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Vietnamese upgrade
AKN Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Vietnamese version of KM-AK, comes with a Bakelite plastic stock, handguard, and grips[26]
Submachine Guns
STL-15 Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Locally produced with industrial name SN9P and officially called the STL-15. It is the Vietnamese-produced version of the PP-19 Bizon. It comes with a Galil-style stock and is chambered in 9x19mm.[27][28]
Micro Uzi Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Manufactured and supplied to the PAVN.[29]
Uzi Pro Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Manufactured and supplied to the PAVN.[29]
Machine Guns
IWI Negev Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO Manufactured and supplied to the PAVN.[29]
PKM General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR Produced as the standard issue machine gun.[30]
NSV Heavy machine gun 12.7×108mm Standard for tank-mounted machine guns.[16]
Sniper Rifles
IWI Galatz Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm Manufactured and supplied to the PAVN.[29]
OSV-96 Anti-materiel rifle 12.7×108mm Made under license with the industrial name of SBT12M1.[17]
KSVK Anti-materiel rifle 12.7×108mm Vietnamese self-designed. Features modifications to suit the local conditions.[29]
Grenade-Based Weapons
OPL40M /

T-40

 Grenade launcher 40mm grenade A Vietnamese-designed grenade launcher. Based on the M203 grenade launcher, except it uses a lever instead of a trigger. Commonly mounted onto the AKN, STV-215/380/410, and IWI ACE 32 rifles.[27]

See also

Notes
  1. The K-54 is a clone of the Tokarev TT-33 made in Vietnam.

References
  1. "President Truong Tan Sang works with Factory Z111". Vietnam Breaking News. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  2. nxbqdnd.com.vn http://nxbqdnd.com.vn/?nav=book-detail&id=49299. Retrieved 2020-07-16. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. "Israel Weapon Industries to begin assault rifle production in Vietnam - IHS Jane's 360". web.archive.org. 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  4. "Việt Nam sản xuất súng quân dụng". baodatviet.vn. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  5. "Bất ngờ với dàn vũ khí tham gia diễu binh 30/4 kỳ 1". Web.archive.org. 25 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-04-25.
  6. "Súng trường Galil ACE chính thức tham gia Lễ diễu binh ngày 30/4". Soha.vn. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  7. https://soha.vn/quan-su/sung-m-18-viet-nam-nhung-thong-tin-thu-vi-20141112163311491.htm
  8. Grevatt, Jon, Israel Weapon Industries to begin assault rifle production in Vietnam, Jane's, archived from the original on 2014-10-06
  9. "Vietnam emerges as a big Military equipment market". New Delhi Times. 2017-07-10. Archived from the original on 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  10. "K14-VN - Modern Firearms". Guns.ru. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  11. "Sức mạnh dàn súng Việt Nam tự sản xuất". Baodatviet.vn. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  12. "Sức mạnh dàn súng Việt Nam tự sản xuất". Baodatviet.vn. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  13. "Điều chưa biết về súng ngắn K14 Việt Nam sản xuất" [About the K14 manuafactured in Vietnam], Kienthuc.net.vn (in Vietnamese), 2015-03-15
  14. "Lộ diện hai mẫu súng cực lạ do Việt Nam sản xuất". Baodatviet.vn.
  15. "Vietnam has upgraded Kalashnikov AKM under the name STL-1A - weapons defence industry military technology UK - analysis focus army defence military industry army". Armyrecognition.com.
  16. VCCorp.vn. "Nhà máy Z111: Cái nôi sản xuất súng cho QĐ Việt Nam". soha.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  17. "Vietnam unveiled new heavy sniper rifle produced under licence from Russia", Defence-blog.com, Jan 16, 2018
  18. "A Look Into Vietnamese Firearms Manufacturing in Z111 Factory -". The Firearm Blog. 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  19. "VietDefense". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  20. "Súng trường tấn công STV-410 Việt Nam ra mắt". datviet.trithuccuocsong.vn. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  21. "Vietnamese Weapons: New AK Variants STV-410 and STV-416 -". The Firearm Blog. 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  22. "Việt Nam sản xuất súng ngắn Jericho 941". baodatviet.vn. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  23. "Điều ít biết về khẩu M18 do Việt Nam sản xuất - DVO - Báo Đất Việt". Web.archive.org. 4 November 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-11-04.
  24. "[Indo Defense 2018] Vietnamese Small Arms Part Two: Grenade Launcher's, Galil ACE's, and OSV-96's -". The Firearm Blog. 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  25. "Súng trường tấn công STV-410 Việt Nam ra mắt". baodatviet.vn. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  26. BAOMOI.COM (2020-07-11). "Việt Nam 'cải lão hoàn đồng' súng trường AK-47 huyền thoại như thế nào?". BAOMOI.COM (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  27. "Trang bị súng phóng lựu thế hệ mới T40 cho Galil ACE?". baodatviet.vn. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  28. "[Indo Defense 2018] Vietnamese Small Arms Part One: Lee Enfield's, M79's, and Bizon's -". The Firearm Blog. 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  29. "Vietnam Begins Manufacture of 12.7mm KSVK, Expands Capabilities". Thefirearmblog.com. 17 August 2017.
  30. VCCorp.vn. "Việt Nam sản xuất thành công súng máy PKMS hiện đại". soha.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2019-04-02.

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