HK 21

Silhouette (Visual Identification)

Technical Specifications

Category	Light Machine Guns
Operating system	Selective fire roller-back blowback
Cartridge	7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester
Length	1140 mm
Feeding	Box magazine

The basic action of the machine gun, which received the company designation HK 21, was similar to that of the G3 rifle. The HK 21 fired from a closed bolt (not that big issue since its heavy barrel was really quick-detachable) and, unlike most machine guns, its belt feeding module was located below the receiver. Variants: HK11E automatic rifle (magazine fed, 7.62 mm) HK13E automatic rifle (magazine fed, 5.56 mm) HK21E general purpose machine gun (belt feed, 7.62 mm) HK23E light machine gun (belt-fed, 5.56 mm). The "E" stands for "Export" model.

Global distribution map

Weapon prevalence

Country of origin

Licensed production

Production without a license

Scale dependend aggregation of production sites

The HK 21 is found in 36 countries according to our data.

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.