Documents
Germany Heckler & Koch
MP5
A roller-delayed blowback submachine gun renowned for its exceptional accuracy and controllability, adopted by police and special-operations units in over 40 countries. Its design became the global benchmark for close-quarters submachine guns for decades.
In service since 1966 · 40 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
200
m range
800
rpm
400
m/s
30
rds
💲 ≈ $1,500, Approximate military/law-enforcement unit 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
Widely fielded · 40 operators
In service since 1966. Status: active · ~10,000,000 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. | 200 m |
|---|---|
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 800 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 400 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. | 30 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 0.68 m |
|---|---|
| Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew. | 3 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. | 225 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. | $1,500 |
|---|---|
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 10,000,000 |
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 40 |
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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M4A1 Frequently asked questions
How many crew does the Heckler & Koch MP5 require? +
The Heckler & Koch MP5 requires a crew of 1.
What is the main armament of the Heckler & Koch MP5? +
The Heckler & Koch MP5's primary weapon is the 9×19 mm Parabellum.
What is the Heckler & Koch MP5 used for? +
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a rifle & long arms typically used for infantry combat.
How many countries operate the Heckler & Koch MP5? +
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is operated by 40 countries.
How much does the Heckler & Koch MP5 cost? +
The Heckler & Koch MP5 has an approximate unit cost of 1,500 USD. Defense pricing varies by contract, offsets and configuration, treat this as directional.
