The OPL-40M (), also known as the SPL-40 (; the same designation can also be confusingly used for the Vietnamese production of M79), is an under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) developed by the Z111 Factory in Thanh Hóa, Vietnam.
History The OPL-40M was developed and produced by Z125 Factory of General Department of Defence Industry.
The OPL-40M was first shown in the Indo Defence 2018 exhibithttps://www.anninhthudo.vn/anh-chiem-nguong-sung-phong-luu-kep-nong-doc-dao-viet-nam-tu-che-tao-post376643.antd which represents a step forward in Vietnam's effort to localize its defense industry.
Design 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),integrating the advantages of these systems to meet the operational requirements of the Vietnamese military.
The OPL-40M is designed to be mounted under assault rifles, including Kalashnikov rifles and STV rifles - Vietnam’s new standard service rifles based on the Israeli Galil ACE platform. This grenade launcher can be mounted under the STV-380 using the STV-380’s picatinny rail and bayonet lug.
The OPL-40M uses a forward-sliding and tilting barrel mechanism, allowing for the loading of longer grenade rounds.
Adoption The OPL-40M is a domestically produced launcher intended to replace earlier imported grenade launchers such as the M79 (produced locally as the SPL40),https://euro-sd.com/2024/10/articles/40734/grenade-launchers-and-ammunition/ and other foreign designs like the M203 and GP-25.
Users
: Used by Vietnamese infantry and special forces units.
References