The Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 venue was packed with visitors on the second day it was open to the public.

The exhibition’s crowded pavilions underscored the enduring fascination with firearms, ranging from handguns to heavy machine guns.

One Vietnamese booth attracted significant attention with its electronic target shooting demonstrations. The booth featured handguns, submachine guns, light machine guns, sniper rifles, and heavy machine guns with calibers ranging from 5.56mm to 12.7mm.

The U.S. Remote Weapon System (RWS) enables various equipment to be operated either automatically or remotely. This includes 5.56mm, 7.62mm, and 12.7mm machine guns; 40mm automatic grenade launchers; anti-tank missiles; and observation stations, among others.

While large-caliber guns draw attention for their modern design and high lethality against enemy forces, handguns are popular among visitors for their compact and lightweight design, often attracting them to pick up and try aiming. In the photo, Ms. Ta Xuan Huong enjoys experiencing a Turkish-made personal handgun.

At the exhibition, firearms manufactured in Vietnam attracted significant attention from visitors. Among them, the SCX-12.7V stood out with its impressive specifications: a weight of 25kg, an effective range of 1.5km, a length of 1,570mm, a caliber of 12.7mm, a muzzle velocity of 820 to 860m/s, and a magazine capacity of 50 rounds.

The StrL-D rifle, manufactured by 11 Precision Mechanical LLC, features a length of 1,037mm, a weight of 7.4kg, an effective range of 600m, and a magazine capacity of 100 rounds.

Also manufactured in Vietnam is the StrL5.56 light machine gun, an automatic weapon designed for infantry units to eliminate enemy personnel and suppress ground fire points. The gun weighs 7.6kg, can be equipped with an optical sight, has an effective range of 1,000m, and a theoretical firing rate of 850 to 1,050 rounds per minute.

The SN19-T handgun has an effective range of 50m. It weighs 0.91kg, measures 210mm in length, features a 9mm caliber, a muzzle velocity of 360m/s, and holds 17 rounds in its magazine.

As in the first Vietnam International Defense Exhibition, weapons from Turkey once again captured the attention of firearm enthusiasts this time. During the four-day event, the Turkish booth consistently drew large crowds of visitors.

Among the showcased weapons, the SAR 127 MT heavy machine gun stood out, displayed in a prominent position on a blue pedestal, emphasizing its value compared to other firearms. The SAR 127 MT weighs approximately 38kg, with a maximum firing range of 6,764m. It is designed to provide powerful fire support in combat environments. The gun operates fully automatically or in single-shot mode and can be mounted on land, sea, and air vehicles through compatible connections.

Next to it was the SAR 762 MT, a weapon designed for higher firing capacity, capable of delivering up to 50,000 rounds with a quick barrel replacement system and a barrel lifespan of 25,000 rounds. This firearm can operate in temperatures ranging from -42°C to +72°C and at altitudes of up to 1,200 meters to attack targets within the area. Developed for infantry use, it can also be fired using a tripod mount.

The CZ Tactical Sniper Rifle, manufactured by the Czech Republic, is a high-precision weapon. It stands out due to key design features such as an adjustable trigger weight, a folding stock, and a spiral-fluted bolt. Made from aluminum alloy, the rifle weighs 6.3kg.

A product from Iran, the four-barrel Gatling machine gun, is designed to counter aerial targets and eliminate enemy forces. This weapon can be mounted on helicopters and light warships. It weighs 44kg, has a caliber of 12.7x108mm, an effective range of 1,500m, operates electrically, and accommodates ammunition boxes holding 200 to 400 rounds.

The semi-automatic MGL (Multiple Grenade Launcher), considered one of the world's most dangerous handheld weapons, was also showcased at the exhibition. The MGL weighs 5.3kg when unloaded and measures 77.8cm in length with the stock extended and 56.5cm with the stock folded. It features a dual-action mechanism and a rotating drum magazine that holds six grenades.

The drum rotates clockwise automatically after each trigger pull. When fired, the gas pressure from the discharged round unlocks the cylinder, and a spring mechanism rotates the magazine to load the next grenade.

The Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 has extended the opening time for some booths until December 23 (initially planned to end on December 22).

Bao Kien - Hoang Ha