A personal defense weapon (often abbreviated PDW) is a compact semi-automatic or fully-automatic firearm similar in most respects to a submachine gun, but firing an (often proprietary) armor-piercing round, giving a PDW better range, accuracy and armor-penetrating capability than submachine guns, which fire pistol-caliber cartridges.The P90 was designed to have a length no greater than a man's shoulder width, in order to be easily carried and maneuvered in tight spaces, such as the inside of an armored vehicle. To achieve this, the weapon's design utilizes the unconventional bullpup configuration, in which the action and magazine are located behind the trigger and alongside the shooter's face, so that there is no wasted space in the stock. The P90's dimensions are also minimized by its unique horizontally mounted feeding system, wherein the box magazine sits parallel to the barrel on top of the weapon's frame. Overall, the weapon has an extremely compact profile.
FN P90
Silhouette (Visual Identification)
Category | Submachine Guns |
---|---|
Operating system | Straight blowback, closed bolt |
Cartridge | |
Length | 500 mm |
Feeding | n/a |
Global distribution map
This map is a reflection of data on global distribution and production provided primarily by the BwVC. It is not exhaustive. If you would like to add to or amend the data, please click here.
Global distribution list
The data on global distribution and production is provided primarily by the BwVC, but also from national and regional focal points on SALW control; data published by think tanks, international organizations and experts; and/or data provided by individual researchers on SALW. It is not exhaustive. If you would like to add to or amend the data, please click here.
Symbol legend
Country of origin | |
Licensed production | |
Production without a licence |
G | Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by Governmental agencies. |
N | Non-Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by non-Governmental armed groups. |
U | Unspecified: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is found in the country, but do not specify whether it is held by Governmental agencies or non-Governmental armed groups. |
It is entirely possible to have a combination of tags beside each country. For example, if country X is tagged with a G and a U, it means that at least one source of data identifies Governmental agencies as holders of weapon type Y, and at least one other source confirms the presence of the weapon in country X without specifying who holds it.
Argentina
(ARG)
|
G
|
|
Austria
(AUT)
|
G
|
|
Belgium
(BEL)
|
G
|
|
Brazil
(BRA)
|
G
|
|
Canada
(CAN)
|
G
|
|
Chile
(CHL)
|
G
|
|
Cyprus
(CYP)
|
G
|
|
Czech Republic
(CZE)
|
G
|
|
Dominican Republic
(DOM)
|
G
|
|
El Salvador
(SLV)
|
G
|
|
Ethiopia
(ETH)
|
N
|
|
France
(FRA)
|
G
|
Malaysia
(MYS)
|
G
|
|
Mauritania
(MRT)
|
G
|
|
Mauritius
(MUS)
|
G
|
|
Mexico
(MEX)
|
G
|
|
Netherlands
(NLD)
|
G
|
|
Nigeria
(NGA)
|
G
|
|
Pakistan
(PAK)
|
G
|
|
Papua New Guinea
(PNG)
|
G
|
|
Peru
(PER)
|
G
|
|
Philippines
(PHL)
|
G
|
|
Poland
(POL)
|
G
|
|
Portugal
(PRT)
|
G
|
Romania
(ROU)
|
G
|
|
Saudi Arabia
(SAU)
|
G
|
|
Singapore
(SGP)
|
G
|
|
Spain
(ESP)
|
G
|
|
Suriname
(SUR)
|
G
|
|
Taiwan
(TWN)
|
G
|
|
Thailand
(THA)
|
G
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
(TTO)
|
G
|
|
Turkey
(TUR)
|
G
|
|
Ukraine
(UKR)
|
G
|
|
United States
(USA)
|
G
|
|
Venezuela
(VEN)
|
G
|
Visual Identification (Silhouette)
- Characteristics
- Markings