Daewoo Telecom K7

The Daewoo Telecom K7 is a 9×19mm Parabellum submachine gun with an integral suppressor used by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. It is based on the Daewoo K1A assault rifle, but is simplified by utilizing a blowback action rather than the gas impingement system of its parent firearm.

Daewoo Telecom K7
Daewoo K7 Sub-machine gun
TypeSubmachine gun
Place of originRepublic of Korea
Service history
In service2001-present
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerAgency for Defense Development
Daewoo Telecom
Designed1998-2000
ManufacturerDaewoo Telecom (1999-2002)
Daewoo Precision (2002-2006)
S&T Daewoo (2006-2012)
S&T Motiv (2012-2021)
SNT Motiv (2021-present)
Unit cost₩ 2,800,000
Produced2001-present
VariantsNone
Specifications
Mass3.38 kg
Length610 mm (stock retracted)
790 mm (stock extended)
Barrel lengthn/a

Cartridge9×19mm Parabellum
Caliber9mm
ActionBlowback
Rate of fire1,100 rounds/min
Effective firing range150 m
Feed system30-round (30-round magazines can also be used from Uzi or 32-round magazines from Beretta PM12s)
SightsIron sights

It was first displayed outside of Korea in the United Arab Emirates at the IDEX (International Defence Exhibition) 2003 convention.

The K7 is currently manufactured by SNT Motiv.[1]

History

Despite the fact that the H&K MP5SD6 was already in service with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces by the time the K7 reached production status, most of the special forces relied on unconventional weapons during covert operations due to high price of imported and domestically produced SMGs. Due to the substantial cost of the importation and production of such weapons, the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command requested the development of an integrally suppressed submachine gun that would be less expensive to import or manufacture than the MP5SD6.[2]

The Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ), a part of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and Daewoo Telecom (now SNT Motiv), a subbranch of Daewoo Group, officially started development in April 1998, finishing the project in December 2000.

In 2020, Iran revealed an indigenous submachine gun that has the design based on the K7.[3] It was also seen at the Victory Day National Arms Exhibition on May 24, 2021, with suppressed and non-suppressed versions.[3]

Design

K7 SMG with adjusted buttstock

The K7 does not use the direct gas impingement system of the K1A.[4] Instead, the K7 utilizes a simple blow-back system.[4] A 30-round vertical box magazine is used and it can also use the 30-round magazines taken from the IMI Uzi or 32-round magazines from the Beretta Model 12.[4] As the magazine well of the K1A was retained, there are internal accommodations for the smaller 9 mm magazine. There are 3 firing modes, single shot, a 3-round burst and fully automatic.[5] However, prolonged fully automatic fire has been shown to damage and degrade the baffles within the integral suppressor. As a result of the light bolt, a cyclic rate of fire of 1150-rounds per minute is achieved.

An integral suppressor is featured on the K7, which leaves users the option to use standard 9mm Parabellum ammo instead of using subsonic ammo.[4] The K7's upper receiver is based on that of the K2, albeit slightly modified.[2] The hammer/fire control unit and telescopic stock are also derived from those of the K1.[2][5]

It can outfitted with a PK Designlab-made weaponlight with built-in picatinny railing.[6]

As the K7 was developed from the Daewoo K1A, it features parts that can be interchanged with those of the K1 and vice versa.

Suppressor

The suppressor reduces the pressure of the gas produced during discharge, and by extension, reduces the amount of noise generated. In addition, the suppressor significantly distorts the sound of the gunshot so that it is very difficult to pinpoint the location of the shooter. Per shot, the mean average of noise generated by the K7 is approximately 111.5 dB.[2][5]

Users

South Korean special forces soldier with the suppressed K7 during drills in 2014.

Trial use

  •  Thailand: A 2019 SIPRI small arms report indicate that two K7s were transferred to Thailand.[10]

See also

References

Bibliography

  • Bishop, Chris (2006). The Encyclopedia of Small Arms and Artillery. Grange Books. pp. 230–231. ISBN 978-1-84013-910-5.
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