Minebea PM-9
Encyclopedia
The Minebea PM-9 Submachine Gun, known officially in the Japan Self-Defense Forces
(JSDF) as the or as the M9, is a Japanese-made machine pistol
. Based on the Israeli IMI Mini-Uzi, the PM-9 has the same telescoping bolt
as the Mini-Uzi, but differs in its appearance, operational use and handling.
The JSDF uses the PM9 as its official submachine gun, although some of its special forces units now use other weapons. The 1st Airborne Brigade
and the Western Army Infantry Regiment are the only special forces
units in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
(JGSDF) known to be armed with the PM-9 as the brigade's main submachine gun. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force
(JASDF) uses it when conducting base security.
Though it has been the official submachine gun for more than a decade, JSDF officials are looking at a possible replacement, as it is planned to phase it out in the near future. One possible replacement is the Heckler & Koch MP5
. JSDF troops assigned to guard duty on both Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
(JMSDF) and JASDF garrison bases had their PM-9s replaced with other high-performing submachine guns, and the JGSDF will also eventually replace the PM-9.
in place. The weapon can also be modified to have a foldable stock
, a detachable suppressor
and a mounted reflex sight, though these modifications are most unlikely to be used in peacekeeping operations abroad, since such activities do not involve Japanese soldiers in combat situations. The initial batches of PM-9s were first made with wooden pistol and foregrips, before they switched to use plastic grips on the current PM-9s in JSDF service.
Although these reasons are quite valid, it was said that the reason why the PM-9 was adopted as the JSDF's main submachine gun is because of the high costs that would arise if they were to select the Heckler & Koch MP5 instead.
Japan Self-Defense Forces
The , or JSDF, occasionally referred to as JSF or SDF, are the unified military forces of Japan that were established after the end of the post–World War II Allied occupation of Japan. For most of the post-war period the JSDF was confined to the islands of Japan and not permitted to be deployed...
(JSDF) as the or as the M9, is a Japanese-made machine pistol
Machine pistol
A machine pistol is a handgun-style, often magazine-fed and self-loading firearm, capable of fully automatic or burst fire, and normally chambered for pistol cartridges. The term is a literal translation of Maschinenpistole, the German term for a hand-held automatic weapon...
. Based on the Israeli IMI Mini-Uzi, the PM-9 has the same telescoping bolt
Telescoping bolt
A weapon with a telescoping bolt is one with a bolt which telescopes over, that is, wraps around and past, the breech end of the barrel...
as the Mini-Uzi, but differs in its appearance, operational use and handling.
The JSDF uses the PM9 as its official submachine gun, although some of its special forces units now use other weapons. The 1st Airborne Brigade
1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)
The , also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade , is stationed in the Narashino Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Base in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force...
and the Western Army Infantry Regiment are the only special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
units in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
(JGSDF) known to be armed with the PM-9 as the brigade's main submachine gun. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
The , or JASDF, is the aviation branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace and other aerospace operations. The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining an extensive network of ground and air early warning radar systems...
(JASDF) uses it when conducting base security.
History
The PM-9 is produced by the Nippon Miniature Bearing Company, otherwise known as Minebea. The design is based mainly on the Mini-Uzi submachine. It was adopted in 1999 for non-frontline forces such as vehicle drivers, artillery personnel, some of its special forces units, and some commissioned officers who were given priority for better equipment.Though it has been the official submachine gun for more than a decade, JSDF officials are looking at a possible replacement, as it is planned to phase it out in the near future. One possible replacement is the Heckler & Koch MP5
Heckler & Koch MP5
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
. JSDF troops assigned to guard duty on both Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....
(JMSDF) and JASDF garrison bases had their PM-9s replaced with other high-performing submachine guns, and the JGSDF will also eventually replace the PM-9.
Features
The PM-9 differs in appearance from its Israeli counterpart in a few ways. A foregrip is mounted underneath the barrel of the PM-9 to aid fully automatic firing with a flash suppressorFlash suppressor
A flash suppressor, also known as a flash guard, flash eliminator, flash hider, or flash cone, is a device attached to the muzzle of a rifle or other gun that reduces the visible signature of the burning gases that exit the muzzle. This reduces the chances that the shooter will be blinded in dark...
in place. The weapon can also be modified to have a foldable stock
Stock (firearm)
A stock, also known as a buttstock or shoulder stock, is a part of a rifle or other firearm, to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, that is held against one's shoulder when firing the gun. Stocks are also found on crossbows though a crossbow stock is more properly referred to as a...
, a detachable suppressor
Suppressor
A suppressor, sound suppressor, sound moderator, or silencer, is a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm which reduces the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon....
and a mounted reflex sight, though these modifications are most unlikely to be used in peacekeeping operations abroad, since such activities do not involve Japanese soldiers in combat situations. The initial batches of PM-9s were first made with wooden pistol and foregrips, before they switched to use plastic grips on the current PM-9s in JSDF service.
Adoption
There were some questions as to why the PM-9 was only adopted for JSDF use a decade ago, though the following were said to be reasons:- Minebea was able to create a quality weapon, as it also made the SIG Sauer P220 (Minebea P-9) under license.
- It was the only design that could be manufactured with Minebea's equipment.
- At the time of selection and adoption, the Uzi was highly regarded as an adequate weapon.
Although these reasons are quite valid, it was said that the reason why the PM-9 was adopted as the JSDF's main submachine gun is because of the high costs that would arise if they were to select the Heckler & Koch MP5 instead.