| Minebea PM-9 | |
|---|---|
JGSDF MP soldier armed with PM-9. |
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| Type | Machine pistol |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1990 – Present |
| Used by | Japan |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Uziel Gal[1] |
| Designed | 1948 |
| Manufacturer | Minebea Co. |
| Unit cost | ¥400,000[2] |
| Produced | 1990 – Present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.8 kg / 6.2 lbs[3] |
| Length | 399 mm / 15.7"[4] |
| Barrel length | 120 mm / 4.7"[4] |
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| Cartridge | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Action | Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 1100 RPM[3] |
| Effective range | 100 m |
| Feed system | 25-Round Magazine[3] |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The Minebea PM-9 Submachine Gun, known officially in the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) as the 9mm Machine Pistol (9mm機関拳銃 Kyumiri Kikan Kenjū)[3] or as the M9,[5] is a Japanese-made machine pistol. Based on the Israeli IMI Mini-Uzi, the PM-9 has the same telescoping bolt as the Mini-Uzi, but differs in its appearance, operational use and handling.
The JSDF uses the PM9 as its official submachine gun, although some of its special forces units now use other weapons. The 1st Airborne Brigade and the Western Army Infantry Regiment are the only special forces units in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) known to be armed with the PM-9 as the brigade's main submachine gun.[6][7] The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) uses it when conducting base security.[8]
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The PM-9[4] is produced by the Nippon Miniature Bearing Company, otherwise known as Minebea. The design is based mainly on the Mini-Uzi submachine.[9] It was adopted in 1999 for non-frontline forces such as vehicle drivers, artillery personnel, some of its special forces units,[10] and some commissioned officers who were given priority for better equipment.[11]
Though it has been the official submachine gun for more than a decade, as of 2009[update] JSDF officials are looking at a possible replacement, as it is planned to phase it out in the near future. One possible replacement is the Heckler & Koch MP5.[10] JSDF troops assigned to guard duty on both Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and JASDF garrison bases had their PM-9s replaced with other high-performing submachine guns,[12] and the JGSDF will also eventually replace the PM-9.[13]
The PM-9 differs in appearance from its Israeli counterpart in a few ways. A foregrip is mounted underneath the barrel of the PM-9 to aid fully automatic firing with a flash suppressor in place.[10] The weapon can also be modified to have a foldable stock, a detachable suppressor and a mounted reflex sight, though these modifications are most unlikely to be used in peacekeeping operations abroad, since such activities do not involve Japanese soldiers in combat situations.[14] The initial batches of PM-9s were first made with wooden pistol and foregrips, before they switched to use plastic grips on the current PM-9s in JSDF service.[15]
There were some questions as to why the PM-9 was only adopted for JSDF use a decade ago, though the following were said to be reasons:[2]
Although these reasons are quite valid, it was said that the reason why the PM-9 was adopted as the JSDF's main submachine gun is because of the high costs that would arise if they were to select the Heckler & Koch MP5 instead.[16]