VHS
HS Produkt · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 2009
Also known as: Visenamjenska Hrvatska Strojnica, VHS-D, VHS-K, VHS-1
Overview
The VHS is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by HS Produkt since 2009. This Croatian-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace. Safety features include ambidextrous safety selector, firing pin block, reflecting modern design standards that prioritize safe handling and operation.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3820 g (134.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 765 mm (30.12") |
| Barrel Length | 500 mm (19.69") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 951 m/s (3120 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1808 J (1334 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer Reinforced |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer Reinforced |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO, SS109, M855
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety Selector, Firing Pin Block
- Features: Bullpup Configuration, Rotating Bolt, Select Fire, Picatinny Rail Top, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Grenade Launcher Compatible, Chrome Lined Barrel, Integral Bipod Provision
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Croatian Armed Forces · adopted 2009 · as VHS-D
- Iraqi Federal Police · as VHS-D
- Kurdish Peshmerga · as VHS-D
- Syrian Arab Army · as VHS-D1
Conflicts
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
- War against ISIS (2014-2019)
Production
Production years: 2007-2013
Produced by HS Produkt in Karlovac, Croatia. Production transitioned to the improved VHS-2 starting in 2013. Exact production numbers not publicly disclosed. Sufficient quantities produced to equip the Croatian Armed Forces and for export to Iraq and Syria.
Origin
Country of origin: Croatia
Notes
The VHS-K carbine variant has a 410mm barrel, weighs 3.3 kg, has an overall length of 665mm, and a rate of fire of 760 rpm. The original VHS design lacked truly ambidextrous ejection - the ejection port was fixed to the right side, making left-shoulder firing impractical. This was one of the key limitations addressed in the VHS-2 redesign, which introduced ambidextrous ejection ports. The VHS was Croatia's first indigenous assault rifle design, replacing the Zastava M70 (Yugoslav-era AKM variant) and various imported Western rifles. Croatian VHS-D1 rifles were documented in use during the Syrian Civil War by Syrian Arab Army forces, having been exported prior to the conflict. The VHS was succeeded by the VHS-2 starting in 2013, which featured comprehensive ergonomic improvements.
Background
The VHS marked Croatia's transition from a nation dependent on foreign small arms to a domestic firearms producer. HS Produkt, already internationally successful with the HS2000 pistol (sold as the Springfield XD in the United States), applied their engineering expertise to create Croatia's first homegrown assault rifle. The original VHS competed unsuccessfully in France's FAMAS replacement trials, but the lessons learned directly informed the significantly improved VHS-2 design.