The world’s tallest buildings, the Petronis Towers of Kuala Lumpur.
Kongsberg and Vinghog from Norway had a new remote weapon station called the Protector. They were able to show video of their station, mounted on a Humvee, firing multiple rounds into a 12 inch circle at 125 meters. The mount was able to lock in for an M2HB fifty caliber or other similar weapons as well. Those who need precision from a secure emplacement should consider the Protector.Daewoo Precision Industries Co, Ltd. Unveiled their new 20 inch barreled DAR21 bullpup rifle in 5.56x45mm. This gas operated select fire rifle is designed for the standard NATO SS109 or M193 ammunition, with a 1 in 7 inch Right Hand twist barrel and 3x optical scope with laser designator.US Ordnance, a regular in SAR magazine, is the new contractor for the M60E4/MK43 machine gun. The have made a number of innovations since the last time we covered their work, and we have arranged a new SAR testing for an upcoming issue. The M60E4 is shorter, more reliable, and more ergonomic than many other offerings in belt fed, 7.62x51mm weapons today.Technopol International
The answer to a question that many people have been asking may have just shown up from the Slovak Republic. Technopol International featured the RAG-30 30mm Automatic Grenade Launcher. Firing the East Block AGS-17 or AGS-30 ammunition (VOG-17 Practice), the RAG-30 weighs 16.4 kg with a full 5 round magazine and optical sight. Firing mode is semi-automatic or burst fire. Range is 1200 meters open sight, 800 meters with supplied optics, and 500 meters with night sights. This system gives the operator a man portable system of placing grenades with reasonable precision at distances that have not been reachable in the past. The side folding stock makes for a compact package. Look for an SAR test on the RAG-30 as well.Brugger & Thomet AG had revealed to SAR some time ago that they had bought out the Steyr TMP project and were perfecting it. The TMP was a good machine pistol to begin with- but with the new B&T innovations it is a solid contender as a Personal Defense Weapon for users who want to stay with 9x19mm. The new folding stock is a good shooting platform, and B&T have gone over the system from top to bottom. They signed a contract for up to 10,000 of the new MP9 Tactical Machine Pistol while in Malaysia, so there were lots of smiles at the B&T booth. Look for an exclusive SAR test very soon. Aimpoint was teamed up with B&T, and had their CompM2, CompML2 passive red dot collimator sights as well as the new MPSII passive red dot for medium or support weapons.In addition to marketing their standard HK style products, MKE was marketing their version of the MG3 machine gun. An updated variant of the venerable MG42 from World War II, the MG3 is a staple of the German Army today as well as Turkey and many other countries. The price on the MKE MG3 is competitive, and the quality has always appeared to be very good.
Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu – 06330 Tandogan – Ankara – Turkey – Tel: +90 (312) 213 41 71 – Fax: +90 (312) 222 22 41 – Email: mkekexport@mkek.gov.tr
The South African 12ga shotgun, the MAG-7, has reappeared in a variety of models. Shown here are the standard model, the MAG737 which includes a 37mm upper launcher for less than lethal options, and the Grapnel Launcher.
Dr Stefan Hough – Tec, a division of Armscor Business (Pty) Ltd – Email: stefanh@armscor.co.za – Tel: +27 12 428 2029/ +27 82 414 3856 – Fax: +27 12 428 2040The fabled six shot 40mm launcher from South Africa is actively being marketed by Milkor Marketing. The two variations are the MGL Mk-1S which fires standard length 40x46mm HE and practice rounds, and the MGL Mk-1L, which can utilize the longer flare, smoke, and gas rounds. There is a new group marketing the MGL series in the US, but we do not have full details at presstime.Saab Bofors Dynamics had a nice presentation of the AT4 and the Carl Gustav M3 84mm as previously covered in SAR. Both are industry standards, and the M3 is seeing a rising interest in facility defense due to the options available for ammunition, virtually a portable artillery unit. (US Federal Operations contact defensemun@aol.com for more information)
Bosnia Hercegovina was well represented at the DSA 2004 show. Unis Promex was the apparent contact point for much of what was offered. A few highlights are a 60mm ìLongî mortar that has a 5000 meter range, a new variation of the M75 defensive hand grenade, and an experimental 40mm mortar called the MGL.Nico Pyrotechnik had a large display of their products in the German Pavilion, including a very nice selection of innovative 40mm products. Their flagship line is the MK281 Mod 0 40x53mm practice round for the MK19 series of automatic grenade launchers, but the new products were very interesting as well. Included were cool trace for the M203 style launchers, IR Flares, and combination day or night trace for the MK19. (US Federal Operations contact defensemun@aol.com)The Malaysian government and Steyr Mannlicher announced a new joint venture to manufacture the Steyr products including the AUG A3 in Malaysia. This should be beneficial for both groups as well as any potential buyers, the combined technology of the groups should present a good product series to the end users who choose the AUG style.
Nammo had a nice presentation of new products as well as old staples. The upgraded variants of the M72A4 through A7 models were well displayed as well as the 21mm training rocket. The programmable airburst round for the 40mm Striker launcher was displayed as a cutaway, and Nammoís outstanding Armor Piercing ammunition products proved very popular. (US Federal Operations users contact defensemun@aol.com for more info on these products).
The Russian and Chinese booths had tremendous exhibits, but SAR is covering their products in much more depth in the upcoming issue with Eurosatory 2004. -Dan
The LAG40 SB is Spainís well known 40mm full automatic grenade launcher. General Dynamics is now the owner of Santa Barbara Sistemas, and the LAG40 is being aggressively marketed. SAR has not yet had the opportunity to test this system, but it is lightweight, and is considered a reasonable competitor to the MK19 series.
General Dynamics – Manuel Cortina, 2 – 28010 Madrid, Spain – Tel: +(34) 91 585 03 90 – Fax: +(34) 91 585 02 44 – www.gdsbs.comThe Iranian Defense Industries Organization had a large walk in booth with the standard Tondar (MP5) variants, an interesting long range 60mm mortar, and their PKM model. Of most interest was the shortened version of an RPG-7 launcher. We were unable to get any specifications on this, or measure it due to the security DIO was putting on the product, but it appears that this is simply an engineered cut-off model- the back cone is much heavier than a standard RPG-7, and there would be a large blast and signature where this is fired. The rear portion of the RPG-7 tube is generally for operator safety, so there is probably a training curve. The RPG-7S (7S was mentioned as a designator in conversation) short makes for a very compact package with disassembled RPG-7 rounds.
Islamic Republic of Iran – Defence Industries Organization – Pasdaran Ave – PO Box 19585-777 – Tehran – Iran – Tel: +9821-2562883 & 2542059 – Fax: + 2545839 – Tlx: 212703 DIO IR – Email: marketing@diol.org – www.diomil.com
his article first appeared in Small Arms Review V7N12 (September 2004) and was posted online on July 26, 2013