'Special' weapons of the parade celebrating 50 years of national reunification

The parade formation and marching in the 50th Anniversary of National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) aims to recreate the heroic spirit of the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, culminating in the Ho Chi Minh campaign that was completely victorious at noon on April 30, 1975.

Parade practice blocks to celebrate 50 years of national reunification

PHOTO: DINH HUY

The activity demonstrates the spirit and invincible strength of the great national unity bloc, the tradition of patriotism, the will to be self-reliant, the growth and maturity of the revolutionary armed forces. Up to now, the blocs have practiced for nearly 2 months and entered the second phase of training.

Besides the solemn atmosphere, showing the spirit of discipline and uniformity in every movement of thousands of soldiers, the weapons produced by Vietnam were also equally outstanding.

That is the STV gun (Vietnamese submachine gun) designed by the Institute of Weapons and produced by the Z111 factory (under the General Department of Defense Industry). Of which, there are 3 types of submachine guns: STV 380, STV 215 and STV 022 which are being mass produced by the Vietnamese army to replace the AK-47 submachine gun.

The STV gun is equipped for soldiers to march and parade.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

STV 380 is an automatic gun, equipped for individuals to fight and destroy enemy forces. The gun is designed according to the principle of extracting gunpowder gas to automatically reload for the next shot. The gun has a rail to mount day and night sights and flashlights. STV 380 weighs 4.1 kg (when loaded), uses 7.62 mm bullets, each magazine has 30 bullets, muzzle velocity of 700 m/s with a range of 300 m and can fire 700 - 950 shots per minute.

The STV 215 and STV 022 submachine guns also have the same operating principle as the STV 380 submachine gun. However, the STV 215's effective firing range is only about 250 m, with a muzzle velocity of 615 m/s, when loaded with 3.7 kg bullets. Meanwhile, the STV 022 is an improvement of the previous two types, so it is lighter, shorter, and each magazine only has 15 bullets to suit training and combat.

At the training session in early March, the STV 215 gun was highly appreciated by General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army.

The STV 380 submachine gun was chosen as the weapon equipped for the army soldiers.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

STV 380 is designed according to the principle of gas extraction to automatically reload bullets for the next shot. The gun has a rail for mounting day and night sights and flashlights.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

The STV 380 weighs 4.1 kg (with ammunition), uses 7.62 mm ammunition, each magazine has 30 rounds, muzzle velocity of 700 m/s with a range of 300 m and can fire 700 - 950 rounds per minute.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

In addition to the STV 380 gun, the army is also equipped with PTT1 walkie-talkies researched and produced by Viettel .

PHOTO: DINH HUY

Special forces officers equipped with STV 022 guns

PHOTO: DINH HUY

Female peacekeepers equipped with STV 215 guns

PHOTO: DINH HUY

STV 215 has a muzzle velocity of 615 m/s, when loaded with a 3.7 kg bullet, effective within a range of 250 m.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

The armored tank block is also equipped with the STV 215.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

Bulletproof helmets made in Vietnam are used for female information officers following the direction of General Nguyen Tan Cuong.

PHOTO: DINH HUY