OPL-40M
| OPL-40M SPL-40 | |
|---|---|
 OPL-40M grenade launcher mounted under the STV-380 | |
| Type | Under-barrel grenade launcher |
| Place of origin |  Vietnam |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2010–present |
| Used by | Vietnam People's Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Z111 Factory[1] |
| Designed | 2010 |
| Manufacturer | Z111 Factory[1] |
| Produced | In production |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1.4 kg (unloaded)[1] |
| Length | 370 mm |
| Barrel length | 250 mm |
| Cartridge | 40×46mm NATO |
| Action | Single-shot |
| Muzzle velocity | 74 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 375 m (effective)[1] |
| Feed system | Manual loading |
| Sights | Leaf sight and post front sight |
The OPL-40M (Vietnamese: Ốp Phóng Lựu 40 mm), alternatively known as the SPL-40, is a grenade launcher developed by the Z111 Factory in Thanh Hóa, Vietnam. It is a domestically produced weapon intended to replace earlier imported grenade launchers such as the M79 (produced locally as the SPL40),[2] and other foreign designs like the M203 and GP-25. The OPL-40M represents a step forward in Vietnam's effort to localize its defense industry.[3]
History
[edit]The OPL-40M was first shown in the Indo Defence 2018 exhibit.[4]
Design and Development
[edit]The OPL-40M is chambered in standard 40×46mm NATO rounds, enabling compatibility with international ammunition standards. Its design draws inspiration from the M203 (USA), GL40 (Israel), and GP-25 (Russia),[3][5] integrating the advantages of these systems to meet the operational requirements of the Vietnamese military.
It is designed to be mounted under assault rifles, including Kalashnikov rifle and STV rifles—Vietnam’s new standard service rifles based on the Israeli Galil ACE platform.[1]
The OPL-40M uses a forward-sliding and tilting barrel mechanism, allowing for the loading of longer grenade rounds. This design is considered more advanced than the American M203 and comparable to the modern M320.[5]
Users
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Vietnamese Weapons: Vietnam's Submachine Guns". Thanh Niên (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-01-06.
- ^ https://euro-sd.com/2024/10/articles/40734/grenade-launchers-and-ammunition/
- ^ a b c "Vietnamese People's Army to Start Mass Producing OPL-40M Grenade Launcher". Global Business Press. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
- ^ https://www.anninhthudo.vn/anh-chiem-nguong-sung-phong-luu-kep-nong-doc-dao-viet-nam-tu-che-tao-post376643.antd
- ^ a b "Photos: Admire Vietnam's Unique Twin-Barrel Grenade Launcher". An Ninh Thủ Đô (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-01-06.