The VHS (Višenamjenska Hrvatska Strojnica—"multifunctional Croatian machine gun") is a 5.56x45mm NATO bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured by HS Produkt of Croatia. The VHS rifle was first introduced at the 2007 iKA exhibition, the annual Croatian innovation display that takes place in the city of Karlovac. The development was carried on following a request from the Croatian Army for a new infantry rifle to update the individual equipment to NATO standards.
Apparently at least two prototypes were produced: one superficially resembled the French FAMAS rifle, while the other has been compared with the Israeli IMI Tavor TAR-21. The rifle is 750 mm long, with a 500 mm barrel. Polymer parts are extensively used in the construction, and the weight of the rifle has been variously reported as 2.3 kg and 3 kg. The early project won the iKA innovation prize for an interesting feature, in the form of a venting system that recovered part of the gases generated by the shot and pushed it back in a space located behind the bolt; during the cycle, the bolt thus found itself to "bounce" on a sort of "gas cushion" that acted as a buffer, dramatically reducing recoil. The production-stage VHS is reported to operate by classical long stroke piston and to not implement anymore that buffering system.
On November 19, 2007, the Croatian Ministry of Defence placed an order for an experimental batch of 50 rifles to be tested by the Croatian contingent currently deployed in Afghanistan within the ISAF. Other nations, including Kuwait and Venezuela have already shown interest in acquiring the rifle.
On November 24, 2008 HS Produkt introduced the final version of VHS assault rifle. The first 40 rifles have been produced for testing. The test will be done by Croatian military in the first 3 months of 2009. If it performs well, the Croatian army will buy an additional 2,000 rifles in 2009. By 2012 the Croatian army plans on acquiring up to 60,000 VHS rifles, displacing the various AKM derivatives currently in service.
On May 12, 2009, the Croatian Minister of Defence Branko Vukelic confirmed the positive conclusions of a series of torture tests and on May 15 officially signed a contract with HS product for the acquisition of 1,000 rifle (both versions) for an average price of 10,700 Croatian Kunas each.
Apparently at least two prototypes were produced: one superficially resembled the French FAMAS rifle, while the other has been compared with the Israeli IMI Tavor TAR-21. The rifle is 750 mm long, with a 500 mm barrel. Polymer parts are extensively used in the construction, and the weight of the rifle has been variously reported as 2.3 kg and 3 kg. The early project won the iKA innovation prize for an interesting feature, in the form of a venting system that recovered part of the gases generated by the shot and pushed it back in a space located behind the bolt; during the cycle, the bolt thus found itself to "bounce" on a sort of "gas cushion" that acted as a buffer, dramatically reducing recoil. The production-stage VHS is reported to operate by classical long stroke piston and to not implement anymore that buffering system.
On November 19, 2007, the Croatian Ministry of Defence placed an order for an experimental batch of 50 rifles to be tested by the Croatian contingent currently deployed in Afghanistan within the ISAF. Other nations, including Kuwait and Venezuela have already shown interest in acquiring the rifle.On November 24, 2008 HS Produkt introduced the final version of VHS assault rifle. The first 40 rifles have been produced for testing. The test will be done by Croatian military in the first 3 months of 2009. If it performs well, the Croatian army will buy an additional 2,000 rifles in 2009. By 2012 the Croatian army plans on acquiring up to 60,000 VHS rifles, displacing the various AKM derivatives currently in service.
On May 12, 2009, the Croatian Minister of Defence Branko Vukelic confirmed the positive conclusions of a series of torture tests and on May 15 officially signed a contract with HS product for the acquisition of 1,000 rifle (both versions) for an average price of 10,700 Croatian Kunas each.
| VHS | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  Croatia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Croatia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Marko Vuković |
| Designed | 2005 |
| Manufacturer | HS Produkt |
| Unit cost | c. €1000 |
| Variants | VHS-D, VHS-K |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | VHS-D: 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) VHS-K: 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) |
| Length | VHS-D: 765 mm (30.1 in) VHS-K: 665 mm (26.2 in) |
| Barrel length | VHS-D: 500 mm (19.7 in) VHS-K: 400 mm (15.7 in) |
| Width | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Height | 230 mm (9.1 in) (without magazine) 260 mm (10.2 in) (20-round mag.) 300 mm (11.8 in) (30-round mag.) |
| | |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated "tappet" closed gas system, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | VHS-D: 750 rounds/min VHS-K: 760 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | VHS-D: 950 m/s (3,120 ft/s) VHS-K: 940 m/s (3,080 ft/s) |
| Feed system | 20, 30-round STANAG magazine |
| Sights | aperture sights, laser sights and optical sights |
