Lithuania Receives MP7 A2 Submachine Guns from German Company Heckler & Koch.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces have received MP7 A2 submachine guns from the German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch, according to an announcement made by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense on August 29, 2024. The decision to procure this compact weapon was initially made public in October 2023. The weapons were selected for their tactical and technical features, including their lightweight design, rapid-fire capability, and penetration power, as stated by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense.
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The MP7 A2 is a 4.6 mm x 30 NATO Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) designed to deliver high performance in a compact and lightweight format. (Picture source: Lithuanian MoD)

The contract for the 4.6 x 30 mm Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) was valued at €1.56 million. Although the exact number of units acquired was not disclosed, it was confirmed that the contract would span a period of 72 months. The Ministry's announcement highlighted the weapon's lightweight system, which weighs just under 1,900 grams (according to the manufacturer), and its impressive penetration capabilities when equipped with armor-piercing ammunition.

A photo accompanying the announcement offers a glimpse of the additional equipment acquired alongside the MP7 A2. The weapon is outfitted with a signature suppressor and a Micro T2 red dot sight from the Swedish manufacturer Aimpoint. The Czech military police opted for a nearly identical setup in late 2021.

The Heckler & Koch MP7 has been a successful design for over two decades. This compact gas-operated weapon measures only 415 mm in length with the stock retracted, allowing it to effectively engage human targets equipped with light body armor at distances of up to 200 meters. Additionally, the weapon is capable of penetrating ballistic shields at close range, according to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense.

The MP7 A2 is a 4.6 mm x 30 NATO Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) designed to deliver high performance in a compact and lightweight format. With a magazine capacity of 40 rounds, this weapon is capable of reaching a maximum effective range of 200 meters. Its penetration power is remarkable, capable of piercing NATO CRISAT protection (composed of a 1.6 mm titanium plate and 20 layers of Kevlar) at a distance of 200 meters when using steel-core ammunition.

The MP7 A2 operates on an indirect gas principle, contributing to its efficiency and reliability during sustained fire. It uses a rotating bolt head locking system, with cartridge ejection to the right. The weapon can fire in both single-shot and sustained fire modes, with an impressive rate of fire of 950 rounds per minute. Its muzzle velocity reaches 680 meters per second, generating a muzzle energy of 465 joules.

The MP7 A2's barrel features a polygonal profile with a right-hand twist, enhancing shooting accuracy. The weapon is equipped with an open square sight. Its length varies between 420 mm (with the stock retracted) and 640 mm (with the stock extended), with a width of 55 mm and a height of 170 mm. The barrel, 180 mm long, offers a sight radius of 230 mm. The stock is adjustable with a travel range of 220 mm, allowing the user to adapt to different shooting situations.

In terms of weight, the MP7 A2 is light, weighing only 2,000 grams without the magazine. The empty magazines, depending on their capacity (20, 30, or 40 rounds), add 100, 150, or 200 grams, respectively. This lightness combined with its compact dimensions makes the MP7 A2 an easily maneuverable weapon, suitable for close-quarters combat, while still maintaining significant accuracy and firepower at longer ranges.

The MP7 A2 can operate in both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes, with a theoretical firing rate of 950 rounds per minute. It uses STANAG 4820 standardized ammunition, which can be fed from 20, 30, or 40-round magazines.

Compared to the previous A1 version, the MP7 A2 is equipped with additional Mil-STD-1913 rails at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions for mounting accessories. The foldable foregrip has been removed, and in the current configuration, it can be replaced with either a hand stop or an optional vertical grip, as specified in the latest procurement.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces have received MP7 A2 submachine guns from the German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch. (Picture source: HK)