Vietnam's PKM – The DL7N General Purpose Machine Gun

Vietnam’s defense industry has steadily grown in capability over the past decades, and one of the more interesting developments is the DL7N machine gun, a Vietnamese-produced version of the world-famous   Russian PKM general-purpose machine gun. This weapon, designated DL7N (ĐL-7N), is chambered in the traditional 7.62x54mm cartridge and serves as the standard-issue machine gun for Vietnamese motorized infantry at the platoon or company level.

The DL7N is manufactured locally by the Z111 Factory, under the Vietnam Defense Industry, with production reportedly beginning around 2019. It appears to be an unlicensed, domestically produced copy of the Russian PKM, developed and manufactured independently by Vietnam. The Z111 Factory, formally known as the 11 Precise Mechanical Factory and founded in 1957, is a state-owned enterprise operating under the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense.

Vietnam has relied on the PKM machine gun for decades, since the Vietnam War. This makes sense, as the PKM is regarded as one of the best GPMGs in the world, a reputation it earned in conflicts around the globe. Learning from their wartime experience, Vietnamese leadership understood that relying on foreign allies for military aid could be risky during a time of war, especially during the Vietnam War, when the U.S. systematically targeted their supply routes, from Haiphong Harbor down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. This historical lesson helped shape Vietnam’s focus on building a sustainable domestic arms industry.

The Gun

Vietnam recognized the original PK's proven reliability, simplicity, and firepower early on, first adopted by the Soviet Army in 1961, and the modernized PKM variant, introduced in 1969. Seeking to emulate this successful design, Vietnam undertook research, reverse-engineered the weapon, and produced it entirely within its own industrial base, resulting in the DL7N. There is no evidence of a formal licensing agreement with Russia, nor any indication of assistance from the ZID Factory, the original Russian manufacturer of the PKM.

Vietnamese sources emphasize that the DL7N was entirely developed and manufactured domestically at the Z111 Factory, without reliance on Russian licensing or assistance. As such, the DL7N is best described as an unlicensed, domestic copy, a practice not uncommon among countries that adapt established designs to suit national manufacturing capabilities and strategic needs.

The DL7N’s production is part of the broader evolution of Vietnam’s military-industrial complex. Over the years, the country has transitioned from not only refurbishing captured and imported weapons to designing and manufacturing modern small arms and equipment. The Z111 Factory has played a central role in this development, producing a range of modernized foreign weapon designs with local modifications, ranging from assault rifles and pistols to sniper rifles, machine guns, and anti-aircraft systems.

Choosing to replicate the PKM for domestic production offers clear advantages. The PKM’s legacy as a rugged, reliable, and combat-proven GPMG provides a solid solution for the Vietnamese military's GPMG and Medium Machine Gun needs. Vietnam has achieved a balance of reliability and battlefield modularity by preserving its core mechanical strengths and introducing modern upgrades, such as optics compatibility. Furthermore, local production of the DL7N significantly reduces dependency on foreign suppliers, reinforcing national defense autonomy.

Modern Features

The DL7N incorporates several modernized features that differentiate it from the original Russian PKM. Some configurations are equipped with a side-mounted optics rail. In contrast, others include both the side rail and a full-length M1913 Picatinny rail on the feed tray cover, providing a versatile platform for attaching a wide range of optical sights and battlefield accessories. This dramatically enhances the weapon’s operational flexibility in daytime and low-light conditions.

Certain DL7N variants are also fitted with a polymer stock, which features a distinctive dip along the center of the cheek rest. This unique contour lowers the shooter's cheek to the iron sights, though it may be an issue when using optics.

Some examples of the DL7N feature a standard bipod, while others are equipped with an updated integrated version. In certain models, the bipod legs are adjustable in length, allowing gunners to adjust height on uneven terrain or when using improvised cover.

For static or mounted roles, the DL7N is compatible with a Vietnamese-manufactured version of the Soviet 6T5 Stepanov tripod. This domestically produced tripod maintains the strength and stability of the original Soviet design while ensuring logistical self-sufficiency, eliminating the need to source parts or components from abroad.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the unlicensed Vietnamese DL7N offers a compelling option for nations seeking a cost-effective, proven general-purpose machine gun based on the highly respected PKM platform. It's produced independently by Vietnam’s Z111 Factory without Russian licensing or assistance, though this could lead to issues if it's correct.

Its modernized features, battlefield reliability, and compatibility with standard 7.62x54mm ammunition make it an attractive choice for countries that want to avoid the political and logistical complications of sourcing directly from Russian or NATO suppliers. For militaries looking for a dependable, affordable, and easily sourced GPMG, the DL7N stands out as a viable and strategically flexible solution.