View source for Daewoo Telecom K7

{{short description|Submachine gun}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Daewoo Telecom K7
| image              = K7 submachine gun (cropped).jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = Daewoo K7 Sub-machine gun
| origin             = South Korea
| type               = [[Submachine gun]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = yes
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 2001–present
| used_by            = See ''[[Daewoo Telecom K7#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = <!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[Agency for Defense Development]] <br />[[S&T Motiv|Daewoo Telecom]]
| design_date        = 1998–2000
| manufacturer       = Daewoo Telecom (1999–2002) <br />Daewoo Precision (2002–2006) <br />S&T Daewoo (2006–2012) <br />S&T Motiv (2012–2021) <br />[[SNT Motiv]] (2021–present)
| unit_cost          = ₩ 2,800,000
| production_date    = 2001–present
| number             = 
| variants           = 
<!-- General specifications -->
| weight             = {{convert|3.1|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="SNT Motiv Catalog">{{cite web|url=https://www.sntmotiv.com/kor/business/catalog/defense.pdf|title=Defense Products|publisher=[[SNT Motiv]]|date=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629022050/https://www.sntmotiv.com/kor/business/catalog/defense.pdf|archivedate=29 June 2024|accessdate=29 June 2024|author1=}}</ref>
| length             = {{convert|788|mm|in|abbr=on}} (extended) <br />{{convert|606|mm|in|abbr=on}} (retracted)<ref name="SNT Motiv Catalog" />
| part_length        = {{convert|134|mm|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="SNT Motiv Catalog" />
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = [[9×19mm Parabellum]]
| caliber            = 9mm
| action             = [[Blowback (arms)|Blowback]]
| rate               = 1,050–1,250 rounds/min<ref name="DMA 2018-08-03">{{cite web|url=https://v.daum.net/v/csBR0AzdjU|title=선택된 특전사만 쓴다는 국산총기 K7|publisher=Defense Media Agency|date=3 August 2018|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240627120624/https://v.daum.net/v/csBR0AzdjU|archivedate=27 June 2024|accessdate=27 June 2024|author1=}}</ref>
| velocity           = {{convert|295|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="DMA 2018-08-03" />
| range              = {{convert|100|to|150|m|yd|abbr=on}}<ref name="DMA 2018-08-03" />
| feed               = 30-round (30-round magazines can also be used from [[Uzi submachine gun|Uzi]] or 32-round magazines from Beretta PM12s)
| sights             = [[Iron sight]]s
}}

The '''Daewoo Telecom K7''' is a [[9×19mm Parabellum]] [[submachine gun]] with an integral suppressor used by the [[Republic of Korea Armed Forces]]. It is based on the [[Daewoo Precision Industries K1|Daewoo K1A]] assault rifle, but is simplified by utilizing a blowback action rather than the gas impingement system of its parent firearm.

It was first displayed outside of Korea in the [[United Arab Emirates]] at the [[International Defence Exhibition|IDEX (International Defence Exhibition)]] 2003 convention.

The K7 is currently manufactured by SNT Motiv.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25110466 | title=Snt모티브, 국제치안산업대전서 신형 소구경 화기들 선보여 | date=19 October 2022 }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Daewoo K7 SMG at Defense Asia 2006 0.jpg|left|thumb|Daewoo K7 SMG at Defense Asia 2006]]

Despite the fact that the [[Heckler & Koch MP5|H&K MP5SD6]] was already in service with the [[Republic of Korea Armed Forces]] by the time the K7 reached production status, most of the special forces relied on unconventional weapons during covert operations due to high price of imported and domestically produced SMGs. Due to the substantial cost of the importation and production of such weapons, the [[Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command]] requested the development of an integrally suppressed submachine gun that would be less expensive to import or manufacture than the MP5SD6.<ref name="WG">{{cite web |url=http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg99-e.htm |title=Daewoo K7 submachine gun (South Korea) |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929134159/http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg99-e.htm |archivedate=2007-09-29 }}</ref>

The [[Defense Agency for Technology and Quality]] (DTaQ), a part of the [[Agency for Defense Development]] (ADD), and Daewoo Telecom (now [[SNT Motiv]]), a subbranch of Daewoo Group, officially started development in April 1998, finishing the project in December 2000.<ref name="DMA 2018-08-03" />

In 2020, [[Iran]] revealed an indigenous submachine gun that has the design based on the K7. It was also seen at the Victory Day National Arms Exhibition on May 24, 2021, with suppressed and non-suppressed versions.<ref name="ISMG">{{Cite web|url=https://silahreport.com/2021/07/05/silah-report-podcast-v33-iranian-sub-machine-gun-history-design-evolution-with-yousef-riazi/|title = Silah Report Podcast V33: Iranian Submachine Guns (1979-Present)|date = 5 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Milidom 2022-10-05">{{cite web|url=https://milidom.net/photo/1364352|title=이란에서 만든 K7 기관단총 근황|publisher=Milidom|date=5 October 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628135746/https://milidom.net/photo/1364352|archivedate=28 June 2024|accessdate=28 June 2024|author1=}}</ref> Later, Iranian President [[Ebrahim Raisi]]'s bodyguard, who attended a martyr's celebration on 20 March 2023, was seen carrying a K7.<ref name="Rahianenoor 2023-03-20">{{cite web|url=https://www.rahianenoor.com/fa/gallery/17944/2/%D8%AD%D8%B6%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DB%B4|title=حضور رئیس جمهور در یادمان شهدای کربلای ۴|publisher=Rahianenoor|date=20 March 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628143342/https://www.rahianenoor.com/fa/gallery/17944/2/%D8%AD%D8%B6%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DB%B4|archivedate=28 June 2024|accessdate=28 June 2024|author1=Mobeen Hosseini|author2=Amir Hossein Sheikhi|author3=Mehdi Naushad}}</ref>

According to a report by the [[Korea Customs Service]] (KCS) in March 2024, a former SNT employee was caught exporting some 480,000 gun parts and production equipment worth [[South Korean won|₩]]26.6 billion ([[United States dollar|$]]19.7 million) illegally copied from September 2019 to March 2023 to a state-owned defense contractor in the [[Middle East|Middle Eastern]] country. It is believed that illegally copied K7s and production equipment were introduced to Iran during this period, even though the [[Government of South Korea|South Korean government]] prohibits arms exports to Iran in principle.<ref name="SBS 2024-03-28">{{cite web|url=https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1007591177|title=중동에 총기 부품 48만여 개 밀수출…"공구·생산장비로 위장"|publisher=[[Seoul Broadcasting System]]|date=28 March 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627142438/https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1007591177|archivedate=27 June 2024|accessdate=27 June 2024|author1=Lee Min-jae}}</ref>

==Design==
The K7 does not use the direct gas impingement system of the K1A.<ref name="MT">{{cite web |url=http://www.military-today.com/firearms/k7.htm |title = K7 Silenced Submachine Gun {{!}} Military-Today.com}}{{dead link|date=December 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Instead, the K7 utilizes a simple blow-back system.<ref name="MT"/> The bolt reciprocates while the gun is being fired and locks back when the magazines are completely exhausted. A 30-round vertical box magazine is used and it can also use the 30-round magazines taken from the [[Uzi|IMI Uzi]] or 32-round magazines from the [[Beretta Model 12]].<ref name="MT"/> As the magazine well of the K1A was retained, there are internal accommodations for the smaller 9&nbsp;mm magazine. There are 3 firing modes, single shot, a 3-round burst and fully automatic.<ref name="SADJ K7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/st-motiv-ready-for-global-stage-small-arms-featured-at-dx-korea/|title=S&T Motiv Ready for Global Stage Small Arms Featured at DX Korea – Small Arms Defense Journal}}</ref> However, prolonged fully automatic fire has been shown to damage and degrade the baffles within the integral suppressor. As a result of the light bolt, a cyclic rate of fire of 1,050–1,250 rounds per minute is achieved.<ref name="DMA 2018-08-03" />

An integral suppressor is featured on the K7, which leaves users the option to use standard 9mm Parabellum ammo instead of using subsonic ammo.<ref name="MT"/> The K7's upper receiver is based on that of the K2, albeit slightly modified.<ref name="WG"/> The hammer/fire control unit and telescopic stock are also derived from those of the K1.<ref name="WG"/><ref name="SADJ K7"/>

It can outfitted with a PK Designlab-made weaponlight with built-in picatinny railing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/12/15/k7-smg-pk-weapon-light/|title = K7 SMG with PK Weapon Light -|date = 15 December 2016}}</ref> As the K7 was developed from the [[Daewoo Precision Industries K1|Daewoo K1A]], it features parts that can be interchanged with those of the K1 and vice versa.

===Suppressor===

The suppressor reduces the pressure of the gas produced during discharge, and by extension, reduces the amount of noise generated. In addition, the suppressor significantly distorts the sound of the gunshot so that it is very difficult to pinpoint the location of the shooter. Tests on precision noise measuring equipment 3 meters away showed that firing in semi-auto mode had an average noise of 93.5&nbsp;dB with the suppressor installed and 117&nbsp;dB with the suppressor removed.<ref name="DMA 2018-08-03" /><ref name="Securityfact 2018-05-04">{{cite web|url=http://www.securityfact.co.kr/news/view.php?no=611|title=[한국무기 디테일] ⑤ 한국에서 가장 조용하면서도 강한 총...S&T; 모티브의 K7 소음기관단총|publisher=Security Fact|date=4 May 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627145839/http://www.securityfact.co.kr/news/view.php?no=611|archivedate=27 June 2024|accessdate=27 June 2024|author1=Kim Han-gyeong}}</ref>

According to specifications, the average durability of the suppressor is known to be 2,000 shots, but the manufacturer's own test showed that even if it fired up to 6,000 shots, there was no deterioration in performance. It was also reported that no deterioration in the performance of the suppressor was found in the K7 used by the South Korean military for 17 years.<ref name="DMA 2018-08-03" /><ref name="Securityfact 2018-05-04" />

==Users==
[[File:2014.3.14 육군 특전사 탐색격멸훈련 Special Warfare Command, Republic of Korea Army (13231919023).jpg|thumb|South Korean special forces soldier with the suppressed K7 during drills in 2014.]]
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

*{{flag|Bangladesh}}: Used by [[SWADS]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
*{{flag|Indonesia}}: ''[[Kopaska|Komando Pasukan Katak]]'' (Kopaska) tactical diver group and ''[[Kopassus|Komando Pasukan Khusus]]'' (Kopassus) special forces group.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.zonajakarta.com/regional/6737926639/k7-daewoo-masih-diakui-sebagai-senjata-spesialisasi-cqc-pasukan-tni-andalan-satuan-hantu-laut-yang-mematikan | title=K7 Daewoo Masih Diakui Sebagai Senjata Spesialisasi CQC Pasukan TNI, Andalan Satuan Hantu Laut yang Mematikan - Zona Jakarta }}</ref><ref name="idnvojnik">{{cite web|url=http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/1612007/ind.asp |title=Kopassus & Kopaska - Specijalne Postrojbe Republike Indonezije |language=Croatian |publisher=Hrvatski Vojnik Magazine |accessdate=2010-06-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822145526/http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/1612007/ind.asp |archivedate=2010-08-22 }}</ref> As of 2019, a SIPRI small arms report indicates around 1,786 K7s were transferred to Indonesia.<ref name="SIPRI19">{{cite web |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/S-Trade-Update/SAS-Trade-Update-2019.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.smallarmssurvey.org |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211191444/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/S-Trade-Update/SAS-Trade-Update-2019.pdf |archive-date=11 December 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2021, Indonesia operates 6 times more than South Korean inventory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=국방일보 |title=[SNT모티브] 명품 총기 생산 K방산 위상 강화 |url=https://kookbang.dema.mil.kr/newsWeb/20210820/1/ATCE_CTGR_0020050005/view.do |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=국방일보 |language=ko}}</ref>
*{{flag|Iran}}: An unknown number of K7 and XK9 are used in Iran.<ref name="Milidom 2022-10-05" /> The K7 is also used as a standard firearm for Iranian presidential guards.<ref name="Rahianenoor 2023-03-20" />
*{{flag|Papua New Guinea}}: Used by [[Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary]].{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}
*{{flag|Republic of Korea}}: Used by [[Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command|ROKASWC]] and [[Republic of Korea Naval Special Warfare Flotilla|ROKNSWF]].<ref name="WG"/>

===Trial use===
*{{flag|Thailand}}: A 2019 SIPRI small arms report indicate that two K7s were transferred to Thailand.<ref name="SIPRI19"/>

==See also==
* [[Daewoo Precision Industries K1]]
* [[S&T Daewoo XK9]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book
  | last = Bishop | first = Chris
  | title = The Encyclopedia of Small Arms and Artillery
  | publisher = Grange Books
  | date = 2006
  | pages = 230–231
  | isbn = 978-1-84013-910-5
}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Daewoo K7}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100130124539/http://www.sntdaewoo.com/st/en_main.htm S&T Daewoo Homepage]

{{Modern South Korean Infantry Weapons}}

[[Category:9mm Parabellum submachine guns]]
[[Category:Post–Cold War weapons of South Korea]]
[[Category:Submachine guns of South Korea]]
[[Category:Silenced firearms]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s]]
[[Category:ADD research and development projects]]