German MG5 in Ukraine. This is the successor to the modernized "Hitler's saw"
A wide variety of weapons are reaching Ukraine, ranging from relics of the Cold War to the most modern solutions. The latter category includes the latest universal machine guns (MG) of the Bundeswehr, the MG5 from the Heckler & Koch group. We present what they can do.
Sep 28, 2023 | updated: 9:15 AM EDT, October 5, 2023
A photo of a Ukrainian soldier equipped with a modern German HK MG5 machine gun, introduced into service in the Bundeswehr in 2015, has appeared online. These machine guns are replacing the MG3's in Germany (which also made their way to Ukraine) that are essentially a light modification of the famous MG42, also known as "Hitler's buzzsaw".
The new weapon is more adapted to the modern battlefield, offering better ergonomics and the ability to attach additional features such as optical or thermal sights, as shown in the picture below.
The HK MG5 is one of the newest, if not the newest, general-purpose machine guns to arrive in Ukraine. According to official German data, 100 units of this weapon from Heckler & Koch's own stock have currently been delivered to Ukraine. This action is not surprising, as the war in Ukraine is an ideal testing ground for weapons.
If this is confirmed, it can be promoted as battle-tested, and in case of problems, the conclusions drawn from this conflict will allow them to be eliminated in future versions.
HK MG5 - successor of the legendary "Hitler's saw"
The MG5 general-purpose machine gun introduced into service with the Bundeswehr was first shown to the world as the HK 121 back in 2011. The German novelty is essentially a completely different design compared to the MG3, and the only common feature is the same 7.62x51 mm NATO caliber and the fact of compatibility with tripods and pintle mounts designed for the older model.
The MG5 operates on the principle of diverting gunpowder gases through a side hole in the barrel to a long-stroke gas piston and fires from a rotating lock open bolt. This is currently the most popular solution that we will find in competitive GPMGs: FN Minimi 7.62 MK3, UKM-2020S or PKM.
The MG5 is characterized by an adjustable rate of fire from 640, 720 to 800 rounds/min, which is significantly less than its predecessor, which reached 1200 rounds/min. However, the Germans claim that with the use of advanced optoelectronic sights, this is sufficient.
An additional advantage is also greater ammunition economy, as less is needed under identical circumstances. For example, 1000 rounds of 7.62x51 mm NATO together with DM60 disintegrating link belts weigh 64 lbs. By default, MG5 rifles are fed from 50 or 120-round sections of DM60 belts housed in polymer containers.
It is worth noting, however, that the MG5 machine guns are not the lightest construction in their class, as unloaded specimens, depending on the length of the quick-change barrel, can weigh up to 25.6 lbs. For example, the FN Evolys is almost twice as light. However, it's visible that the MG5A2 models with a barrel length of 460 mm, weighing 24.7 lbs, have been shipped to Ukraine.
Of course, in accordance with the current fashion, the rifle has good ergonomics and the ability to mount accessories. On the cover of the bolt chamber (which is not the ideal solution), we have a long Picatinny rail for mounting optics, and on the sides, we find shorter sections. Good ergonomics are ensured by a bipod with adjustable leg length and a foldable stock with length adjustment in six positions and a vertically adjustable cheek pad. It is also worth mentioning that all weapon manipulators are ambidextrous.
