Czech Republic presents PZD Mk24 light machine gun

14 November, 2024 Czech PZD Mk24 machine gun. Photo credits: DSS company The Czech arms company DSS has presented a PZD Mk24 ultra-light machine gun, the weight of which has been reduced by 30% compared to its 5.56 mm counterparts.

Details were published on the company's website. Prague-based DSS has presented its new flagship model, the PZD Mk24, which combines the main characteristics of a machine gun with the ergonomics and weight of an assault rifle. Designed in the NATO 5.56x45 mm caliber, the machine gun weighs only 5.2 kg.

Depending on the model, it is lighter than the world's most widely used FN Minimi, which weighs between 6.5-7 kg. The PZD Mk24 has a lightweight but robust recoil-reducing design that allows the operator to engage distant targets accurately and effectively. It has quick-change barrels of 14 and 16 inches in length.

Depending on the model, the length of the machine gun is 868-950 mm or 919-1001 mm.

Czech PZD Mk24 machine gun. Photo credits: DSS company

The trigger mechanism is dual-mode with the ability to fire fully automatic or single-shot. According to the manufacturers, the advantage of the design is the minimalist characteristics of the ammunition feeder, which ensures that the aiming point on the installed sighting devices will not be displaced after reloading.

DSS Company

The company is quite young on the market.

Currently, the PZD Mk24 is their first original weapon model. In addition to its flagship, the Czech company has managed to establish itself as a manufacturer of high-quality copies of the Belgian FN Minimi machine gun. The latter are supplied in two calibers under the brand names PZD 556 and PZD 762.

In particular, the PZD 556 is actively used by the Ukrainian military and has been codified by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, which allowed its purchase as part of public procurement. In September, Militarnyi reported that the marines of the 505th Separate Marine Battalion were armed with these light machine guns. In addition, they were used by the special forces units of the Main Directorate of Intelligence a year ago.

The PZD 556 machine gun in service with the Marines.

Photo credits: 505th Separate Marine Battalion

Recently, another Czech company, STV GROUP, donated a batch of RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launchers to Ukraine for a total of 20 million CZK.