Weapons of the Vietnam War

National Firearms Museum, Vietnam-era rifles

Captured NVA Weapons

MIG21F94 so 5020

Khu trưng bày máy bay

KA-BAR

ARVN Rangers defend Saigon, Tet Offensive

Weapons of the Vietnam War encompass a wide range of armaments used during the Vietnam War by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), the Viet Cong (VC), the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN), and by the military forces of the United States and its allies. The conflict, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, saw a large variety of weapons being used, from indigenous designs to sophisticated pieces of military technology provided by foreign allies.

Small Arms

Rifles

The most iconic rifle of the Vietnam War was the American M16, known for its lightweight design and use of the high-velocity 5.56mm cartridge. The AK-47, used by the NVA and VC, was its counterpart, famed for its reliability and the 7.62mm round it fired. The South Vietnamese Army also used the older M14 and the M1 Garand, while the M1 carbine was widely distributed among South Vietnamese and allied forces.

Machine Guns

The M60, firing the 7.62mm NATO cartridge, was the primary light machine gun of U.S. and allied forces. The NVA and VC used the RPD, a light machine gun that fired the same cartridge as the AK-47, and the heavier DShK for anti-aircraft purposes.

Pistols

The M1911 .45 ACP pistol was the main sidearm for U.S. forces, while the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong often used the Soviet-made Tokarev TT-33 and the Makarov PM.

Submachine Guns

The Uzi and the Thompson were used by U.S. Special Forces, whereas the VC and NVA utilized captured or supplied versions of the PPSh-41 and the MAT-49.

Heavy Weapons

Artillery

Both sides used a variety of artillery pieces. The U.S. and ARVN forces deployed the M101 howitzer, while the NVA used Soviet-supplied D-30 and 122mm howitzers.

Tanks

The M48 Patton was the primary battle tank used by the U.S. and South Vietnam. North Vietnamese forces used a mixture of Soviet-made tanks, including the T-54/T-55 and the lighter PT-76.

Anti-Aircraft

The U.S. used the MIM-23 Hawk and M61 Vulcan for air defense. The NVA countered with the S-75 Dvina (SA-2 Guideline) surface-to-air missile and various anti-aircraft artillery, including the ZSU-57-2.

Grenades and Mines

The M67 grenade was a standard hand grenade used by U.S. forces, while the VC made extensive use of booby traps and homemade explosives. The Claymore mine, a directional anti-personnel mine, was also widely used by the U.S. and allied forces.

Chemical Weapons

The U.S. military used Agent Orange and other herbicides to defoliate jungle areas and deny cover to enemy forces. Although not a weapon in the traditional sense, its use had long-lasting effects on the environment and the health of those exposed.

Conclusion

The Vietnam War saw the use of a diverse array of weapons systems, from simple small arms to complex artillery and air defense systems. The variety of weapons reflected the multifaceted nature of the conflict, involving conventional battles as well as guerrilla warfare. The legacy of these weapons continues to be felt, both in the advancements in military technology they spurred and in the ongoing health and environmental impacts of their use.