SALW

HK 23

Silhouette (Visual Identification)

HK 23
Category Light Machine Guns
Operating system Selective fire roller-back blowback
Cartridge
Length 1030 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The HK (Heckler & Koch) 23 emerged in 1972 from the original HK 21, which explains the optical and technical resemblance between them and their variants. Usually it is fired from a bipod, but it can also be tripod mounted. While the production of the original HK 21 and 23 have officially ceased, there are still models in production. Residual numbers may remain in service. An “E” added to the weapon’s name identifies models for export.

Global distribution map

Weapon prevalence origin Country of origin licensed Licensed production unauthorized Production without a license
X
Scale dependend aggregation of production sites

The HK 23 is found in 26 countries

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.

Origin Country of origin
Production Licensed production
Non-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.

Bangladesh (BGD)
U
Bolivia (BOL)
U
Brunei (BRN)
U
Cameroon (CMR)
U
Colombia (COL)
U
Ecuador (ECU)
U
Finland (FIN)
U
Germany (DEU)
O
U
Greece (GRC)
O
U
Jordan (JOR)
U
Kenya (KEN)
U
Malaysia (MYS)
U
Mexico (MEX)
O
U
Niger (NER)
U
Nigeria (NGA)
U
Peru (PER)
U
Portugal (PRT)
O
U
Qatar (QAT)
U
Senegal (SEN)
U
Sri Lanka (LKA)
U
Sweden (SWE)
U
Thailand (THA)
U
Turkey (TUR)
G
Uganda (UGA)
U
United Arab Emirates (ARE)
G
United States (USA)
U

Visual Identification (Silhouette)

HK 23 (1)

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