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Germany Heckler & Koch
VP9
A polymer-framed, striker-fired service pistol developed as HK's modern competitor to the Glock 17, featuring an interchangeable backstrap-and-sideplate grip system. It has been adopted by several European police forces and is popular in competitive and civilian markets.
In service since 2014 · 10 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
50
m range
375
m/s
17
rds
💲 ≈ $720, Approximate retail price
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
German export-licensed
BAFA licensing with strict end-use review; approvals can be politically constrained.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Established · 10 operators
In service since 2014. Status: active · ~500,000 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
Unit cost known; one-shot / small-arms class has no meaningful O&S tail to model.
Interoperability
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Effective range Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope. | 50 m |
|---|---|
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 375 m/s |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 9×19 mm Parabellum |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 9 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 17 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 0.19 m |
|---|---|
| Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew. | 1 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 1 |
| Barrel length Barrel length, longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling. | 106 mm |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Unit cost Approximate flyaway/unit cost where public. Defense pricing varies hugely by contract, offsets and configuration. Lower is cheaper. | $720 |
|---|---|
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 500,000 |
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 10 |
Specifications compiled from public Heckler & Koch and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Ceska zbrojovka (CZ) CZ 75 Frequently asked questions
How many crew does the Heckler & Koch VP9 require? +
The Heckler & Koch VP9 requires a crew of 1.
What is the main armament of the Heckler & Koch VP9? +
The Heckler & Koch VP9's primary weapon is the 9×19 mm Parabellum.
What is the Heckler & Koch VP9 used for? +
The Heckler & Koch VP9 is a pistol & sidearm typically used for infantry combat.
How many countries operate the Heckler & Koch VP9? +
The Heckler & Koch VP9 is operated by 10 countries.
How much does the Heckler & Koch VP9 cost? +
The Heckler & Koch VP9 has an approximate unit cost of 720 USD. Defense pricing varies by contract, offsets and configuration, treat this as directional.
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