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[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons of Vietnam]]
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|[[File:Flag_vc_new.png|50px]]<br><strong>[[VC]]</strong>|| [[File:Tul1.png|512px]]<br><b>[[TUL-1]]</b> || [[File:Weapon tul1.svg|512px]] ||[[File:Class_Gunner.png|50px]] <b>[[Gunner]]</b><br> || 40[[+1]] / 80
|[[File:Flag_vc_new.png|50px]]<br><strong>[[VC]]</strong>|| [[File:Tul1.png|512px]]<br><b>[[TUL-1]]</b> || [[File:Weapon tul1.svg|512px]] ||[[File:Class_Gunner.png|50px]] <b>[[Gunner]]</b><br> || 40[[+1]] / 120
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|TUL-1||7.62x39mm||[[North Vietnam]]||1960s||Vietnam Workshops||23.22 in (590 mm)||40.94in (1,040 mm)||weapon_tul1
|TUL-1||[[7.62x39mm]]||[[North Vietnam]]||1970||Vietnam Workshops||23.22 in (590 mm)||40.94in (1,040 mm)||weapon_tul1
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The TUL-1 is a Vietnamese light machine gun developed from the QBZ56 in an attempt to recreate the [[RPK]], a light machine gun, of which Vietnam were running short on.
The TUL-1 is a Vietnamese light machine gun chambered in [[7.62×39mm]] (M43) and built as a locally produced squad automatic weapon. It was developed by adapting [[Type 56]]/QBZ-56-pattern components to approximate the role of the [[RPK]] when purpose-built RPKs were in short supply. The TUL-1 is best known as a wartime “self-reliance” design associated with Vietnamese domestic arms production during the late Vietnam War period.
The TUL-1 appears to still be in service with some units in the [[People's Army of Vietnam]].
==HISTORY==
=HISTORY=
Vietnamese military industry pursued the TUL-1 in the late 1960s as part of broader efforts to design and produce small arms domestically for the war effort. Contemporary Vietnamese reporting describes the weapon as researched from the late 1960s based on the Soviet RPK concept, with Z111 organizing production on existing AK-type manufacturing lines; a TUL-1 marked example is described as being completed in late 1969, followed by production runs in the early 1970s. The name “TUL” is commonly explained as short for “Tự Lực” (self-reliance), reflecting the intent to sustain supply despite wartime constraints.
Vietnamese TUL-1 light machine gun used the frame of Chinese [[Type 56]] assault rifle but with stock of an RPK, barrel sights from an [[RPD]] and 30-round magazine used on the [[AK-47]]/[[Type 56]], there are rare 40-round magazines. The TUL-1 body was thin, only 1 mm compared to the 1.5 mm of an RPK. It was also heavier and had an inferior rate of fire compared to the RPK. However, the firing rate and effective range of the weapon was successfully better than that of an AK-47/Type 56.  


During the [[Vietnam War]], the North Vietnamese Army had seen an increased need for firearms. Due to known tensions between the [[United States]], and the [[Soviet Union]], [[North Vietnam]] would have been unable to purchase mass arms directly from the Soviet Union, as many weapons could be passed down to guerrilla [[Việt Cộng]] forces who could operate in [[South Vietnam]].
In configuration, the TUL-1 combined a [[Type 56]]-pattern receiver with features intended to support automatic fire at squad level, including an RPK-style stock and a bipod, while feeding from 30-round AK-pattern magazines (with some reports of rarer 40-round magazines). Reporting on the design notes a lighter stamped receiver compared to the RPK and performance compromises versus purpose-built light machine guns, but with improved sustained-fire capability compared to a standard assault rifle. It was issued to North Vietnamese forces during the conflict and later declined in importance as more standard light machine guns became available.


To counter this, local Vietnamese gunsmiths were able to replicate the RPK with a wide amount of Chinese QBZ56 parts, which were smuggled in from [[China]] due the shared border. Wooden furniture was either handmade or procured from an actual RPK. The TUL-1 LMGs were manufactured between 1970–1974 and ended after Vietnam obtained production rights to the RPK itself.
===Sources===
<br>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equipment_of_the_Vietnam_People%27s_Ground_Forces SOURCE]
* [https://tienphong.vn/kham-pha-sung-trung-lien-tul-1-made-in-vietnam-post762863.tpo Báo Tiền Phong – ''Khám phá súng trung liên TUL-1 “made in Vietnam”'']
<br>[https://firearmcentral.fandom.com/wiki/TUL-1 SOURCE]
* [https://nhandan.vn/phat-trien-cong-nghiep-quoc-phong-hien-dai-luong-dung-post769707.html Báo Nhân Dân – ''Phát triển công nghiệp quốc phòng hiện đại, lưỡng dụng'' (mentions trung liên TUL-1)]
* [https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-land-defense/2020/tul-1-light-machine-gun-still-in-use-in-vietnamese-army Army Recognition – ''TUL-1 light machine gun still in use in Vietnamese army'']
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<div class="mw-collapsible" style="border:1px solid #ccc; padding:5px; width:100%;">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="400px">
  <div style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold;">Real-Life Photos</div>
File:Ccfzjet1kt271.jpg
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File:Tulll.jpg
    <gallery mode="packed" heights="400px">
File:Tulll2.jpg
File:Ccfzjet1kt271.jpg|TUL-1 light machine gun.
File:FSET3RraQAEwlCV.jpg
File:Tulll.jpg|TUL-1 configuration based on Type 56-pattern components.
</gallery>
File:Tulll2.jpg|TUL-1 with bipod and AK-pattern magazine.
 
File:FSET3RraQAEwlCV.jpg|TUL-1 in service/training context.
    </gallery>
  </div>
</div>


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Latest revision as of 04:35, 25 February 2026

Factions Weapon Icon Classes Ammo

VC
TUL-1		 Gunner
 40+1 / 120
Damage Base Headshot × Chest × Stomach × Leg × Arm × Bayonet Rifle Grenades Reload Speed
Partial Empty
41 ×2.52 = 103.32 ×1.2 = 49.2 ×1.15 = 47.15 ×0.8 = 32.8 × = 30.75 NO NO 2.433 Seconds 3.2 Seconds
Designation Weapon Type Fire Modes Fire Rate Bullet Spread ° Bipod Bullet Spread ° Range Modifier Muzzle Velocity Projectile weight Weight
TUL-1 LMG Auto+Semi 600 RPM 7.47° & 1.87° ADS 2.47° & 1.02° ADS 0.940 745 m/s 7.9 g (121.9 gr) 4.8 kg (10.6 lbs)
Full name Caliber Place of Origin Date Manufacturer Barrel Length Total Length Weapon Script Name
TUL-1 7.62x39mm North Vietnam 1970 Vietnam Workshops 23.22 in (590 mm) 40.94in (1,040 mm) weapon_tul1


The TUL-1 is a Vietnamese light machine gun chambered in 7.62×39mm (M43) and built as a locally produced squad automatic weapon. It was developed by adapting Type 56/QBZ-56-pattern components to approximate the role of the RPK when purpose-built RPKs were in short supply. The TUL-1 is best known as a wartime “self-reliance” design associated with Vietnamese domestic arms production during the late Vietnam War period.

HISTORY

Vietnamese military industry pursued the TUL-1 in the late 1960s as part of broader efforts to design and produce small arms domestically for the war effort. Contemporary Vietnamese reporting describes the weapon as researched from the late 1960s based on the Soviet RPK concept, with Z111 organizing production on existing AK-type manufacturing lines; a TUL-1 marked example is described as being completed in late 1969, followed by production runs in the early 1970s. The name “TUL” is commonly explained as short for “Tự Lực” (self-reliance), reflecting the intent to sustain supply despite wartime constraints.

In configuration, the TUL-1 combined a Type 56-pattern receiver with features intended to support automatic fire at squad level, including an RPK-style stock and a bipod, while feeding from 30-round AK-pattern magazines (with some reports of rarer 40-round magazines). Reporting on the design notes a lighter stamped receiver compared to the RPK and performance compromises versus purpose-built light machine guns, but with improved sustained-fire capability compared to a standard assault rifle. It was issued to North Vietnamese forces during the conflict and later declined in importance as more standard light machine guns became available.

Sources

Real-Life Photos
  • TUL-1 light machine gun.
    TUL-1 light machine gun.
  • TUL-1 configuration based on Type 56-pattern components.
    TUL-1 configuration based on Type 56-pattern components.
  • TUL-1 with bipod and AK-pattern magazine.
    TUL-1 with bipod and AK-pattern magazine.
  • TUL-1 in service/training context.
    TUL-1 in service/training context.
Videos
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YouTube
Load video
YouTube
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