Z111 Factory


The Z111 Factory is located in Thanh Hoá, Vietnam. It produces small arms for the People's Army of Vietnam.
The Z111 Factory was built in 1957, with origin name as "Z1 Factory". A part of Z111 factory named called Z1 Concern was built by Israel Weapon Industries and whole the factory is directly owned by the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence.

History

Built in 1957 with an original name as Z1 Factory, it's known as cradle of small arms industry in Vietnam. Z1 factory was specialized on producing small arms for Vietnam People's Army during Vietnam War & created local modification firearms for its army, such as K-50M submachine gun based on PPSh-41 & MAT-49
One of the weapons to come from the Z111 Factory is the M18, reconditioned from XM177E2s seized during the Vietnam War since 2010. They are known to be used by Vietnamese special forces personnel and officers from the Vietnam Coast Guard due to its compact size.
On February 3, 2014, IWI entered into an agreement with Vietnam to produce the IWI ACE under license. Production was made in a joint production facility.
An improved version of the K-54 pistol is locally produced under the name of "K14-VN". They are upgraded with an increased capacity of 13 rounds, and a wider grip to incorporate a double stack magazine. Research and development started in 2001. The K14-VN began to see service with PAVN forces on May 10, 2014.
In 2015, the Z111 Factory announced that they would produce the new STL-1A rifle. This would mainly be done through converting and upgrading the old AKMs under the new name, but they would also produce entirely new STL-1A rifles. The updated rifle included: New polymer handguards, a folding buttstock, a new ergonomic pistol grip, and an updated muzzle brake similar to those found on the AK-74. A notable change was that it also allowed the use of M203 grenade launchers that are also being produced in Vietnam, replacing the GP-25/GP-34 grenade launchers on the original AKMs. The rifle however, still uses the dovetail side-mount for attaching sights. Overall, the rifle highly resembles an AK-103.
In January 2018, the OSV-96 is reported to be made under license in Vietnam.
On July 2020, the STV-215/380 rifle based on Galil ACE & AK-47 made by this factory has reported to be new service rifles in Vietnam People's Army

Products